FG urges ASUU, Other Tertiary Unions to remain patient as final negotiations begin

The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions to exercise patience as the final phase of negotiations on their conditions of service gets underway.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with the technical working group on the conditions of service for public university lecturers.

Alausa expressed optimism that all outstanding issues would soon be resolved, stressing the government’s commitment to preventing another round of industrial action.

“We have resolved a lot of these issues. But we know the final part is the condition of service. We will resolve that as well,” Alausa said. “So we are pleading with the unions, both academic and non-academic and tertiary institutions to be patient. This government is sincere and we are truthful.”

The minister highlighted the government’s sincerity, citing the payment of N50 billion in earned academic allowances and the inclusion of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment — to be disbursed in three tranches, with the first N50 billion ready for release.

He added that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, have largely been addressed, with the remaining balance expected to be cleared by 2026.

Alausa disclosed that the technical working group is finalising a counteroffer that will be presented to the unions through the federal government’s tertiary institutions negotiations committee by October 9. He said the goal is to ensure academic stability and prevent disruptions in universities.

While acknowledging that lecturers “deserve to be paid so much,” Alausa explained that the government cannot meet all demands at once. He further noted that about 80 percent of the unions’ demands are similar across tertiary institutions, while the remaining 20 percent are sector-specific.

He also revealed that the solicitor general and officials from the Ministry of Justice are part of the negotiation process to guarantee that all agreements reached will be enforceable.

ASUU had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum, expiring on October 13, 2025, after which it plans to embark on a two-week warning strike. The union’s main demand is for the government to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which includes provisions for revitalising public universities, improving academic staff welfare, and upholding university autonomy.