The Federal Government has commenced the final phase of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on the Conditions of Service of ASUU.
Alausa expressed optimism that all outstanding issues would soon be resolved to prevent further industrial action in the nation’s universities.
He said the group was finalising a counter-offer to be presented to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee.
According to him, the committee’s work aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all efforts must be made to keep Nigerian students in school and avoid disruptions to the academic calendar.
“The President has made it clear that our children must remain in school. The technical working group is finalising a component of the condition of service to be proposed.
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Hopefully, by the end of today, or latest tomorrow, the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee will receive that counter-offer to ASUU,” he said.
The minister noted that about 80 per cent of the unions’ demands were similar across tertiary institutions, while the remaining 20 per cent reflected sector-specific concerns.
He said the committee, inaugurated earlier in the week, had begun intensive deliberations to fast-track agreements and implementation timelines.
Alausa stated that the present administration had already made significant progress with the payment of ₦50 billion in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) approved by President Tinubu.
“In addition, ₦150 billion was included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be released in three tranches, with the first ₦50 billion ready,” he added.
While acknowledging the legitimate welfare concerns of lecturers and other staff, Alausa explained that government resources were limited but that substantial steps were being taken to meet the unions’ demands.
“They deserve to be paid, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve better. But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is the government’s sincerity and commitment to improving your welfare,” he said.
Alausa further confirmed that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, had been addressed, while remaining payments would be cleared by 2026.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to dialogue and mutual respect, he urged unions to exercise patience and avoid strikes as a first option.
“We have resolved many issues, and the condition of service will be finalised soon. We plead with all tertiary institution unions to be patient.
This administration has shown sincerity and transparency in addressing your concerns,” he said.
The minister also revealed that, for the first time, the Solicitor General of the Federation and officials of the Ministry of Justice were directly involved in the negotiation process to ensure legal soundness and enforceability of all agreements reached.
