The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, announced on Wednesday in Abuja that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to fulfilling its agreements with academic-based unions and will release the remaining 50% of previously withheld salaries. Addressing union representatives at the 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Alausa urged education sector unions to prioritize dialogue over industrial action to support the welfare and education of Nigerian students.
Alausa’s appeal was directed at key unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). He acknowledged past frustrations due to unfulfilled agreements by previous administrations but assured the unions that the current government is committed to delivering on its promises, despite financial constraints. He noted that President Tinubu is determined to make difficult decisions that aim to benefit the country in the long term.
The Minister explained that previous policies, such as subsidies and artificially low exchange rates, strained the country’s finances. Alausa highlighted that nearly $1 billion daily was spent on subsidies, while exchange rate interventions cost $500 million monthly, draining funds from crucial sectors like education. He encouraged unions to support the administration’s new approach and emphasized the importance of open, respectful discussions.
Echoing Alausa’s sentiments, former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba urged unions to embrace dialogue and avoid strike actions that carry significant social and economic costs. He cited the 2012 petroleum subsidy strike as an example of the toll such disruptions take on society. Both Alausa and Wabba emphasized the government’s intention to address union concerns transparently, underscoring the importance of collaboration to secure fair working conditions and uninterrupted education for Nigerian students.