The Federal Government has insisted that it has met all the requests presented by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), urging the union to suspend plans for industrial action and return to the classrooms.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, dismissing claims that the government had been slow or unresponsive to ASUU’s demands.
“We have addressed every single request by ASUU; there is no need for this strike, and we are pleading with them to go back to school,” Alausa said.
“We need to keep our children in school. If there is any group of people that I have met with the most since I assumed this position, it is ASUU.”
The minister emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to engaging labour unions fairly and constructively. He also outlined ongoing measures aimed at improving funding for Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Alausa’s remarks come amid renewed tensions between the government and university lecturers, following ASUU’s complaints over pending issues related to salaries, funding, and university autonomy.
As the government appeals for calm, many stakeholders are watching closely to see if the union will proceed with its proposed strike or return to negotiations.
— EduTimes Africa
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
