The federal government has started 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 during a meeting of the technical working group on conditions of service on Wednesday in Abuja, while expressing his optimism about resolving outstanding issues to prevent further industrial actions.
He said that a counter-offer is being finalized to present to the unions, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to prioritize keeping students on campuses and maintaining the academic calendar.
“The president has made it clear that our children must remain in school. The technical working group is working to finalise a component of the condition of service that has to be proposed. They are working to finalise a counter-offer to them.
“Hopefully, by the end of today, or latest tomorrow, the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expected Negotiations Committee will receive that counter-offer to ASUU,” he said.
Alausa highlighted that about 80% of the unions’ demands are consistent across various institutions, with the remaining 20% reflecting specific sector concerns.
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He noted the government’s progress, including the release of ₦50 billion for earned academic allowance and the inclusion of ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be distributed in three phases.
While acknowledging that lecturers and university staff deserve fair compensation, Alausa emphasized the necessity of a gradual approach to fulfilling these demands.
He also confirmed that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances are being addressed, with plans to clear remaining issues by 2026.
In his appeal for patience from both academic and non-academic unions, Alausa reassured them of the government’s sincerity and commitment to resolving these matters.
Notably, for the first time, the solicitor general of the federation and representatives from the Ministry of Justice are directly involved in the negotiations to ensure the legal integrity of any agreements reached.
