By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged university-based unions to embrace dialogue and avoid strikes that could disrupt academic activities.
Alausa made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of renegotiated agreements between the Federal Government and unions in tertiary institutions.
He called on stakeholders to cooperate in implementing the agreements, stressing that President Bola Tinubu was committed to fulfilling his administration’s promises to Nigerians.
The minister also cautioned against misinformation and actions capable of creating tension, urging stakeholders to engage constructively in resolving challenges in the education sector.
He commended officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, heads of tertiary institutions and union leaders for their contributions to the renegotiation process.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, Yayale Ahmed, urged union leaders to give the government time to implement the agreements, warning that threats of industrial action could undermine progress.
Ahmed described the agreements as the beginning of another phase of engagement, noting that successful implementation would require commitment from the government and patience from the unions.
He acknowledged that negotiations had been challenging but said mutual respect, collective bargaining and concessions from both sides had helped achieve progress.
Ahmed also disclosed that officials had identified discrepancies in some aspects of the agreements. He said the education minister and the relevant wages commission were willing to review them to prevent disputes.
Meanwhile, the National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Muhammed Ibrahim, commended the government for addressing some workers’ demands, including outstanding salary payments.
However, Ibrahim urged the ministry to release the necessary documentation for other unions whose agreements were yet to be formally processed.
He said delays in issuing the agreements and circulars had created tension among affected workers but reaffirmed the unions’ willingness to contribute to national development.
The renegotiated agreements are expected to address longstanding disputes over workers’ welfare, conditions of service and other employment-related issues across universities and other tertiary institutions.
Their implementation will be crucial to maintaining industrial harmony and preventing further disruptions to academic activities.
