FG Gives Fresh Update on Ongoing Negotiation with ASUU

• The Federal Government says negotiations with ASUU are making steady progress, with a counteroffer expected soon.

• Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, assured that President Tinubu is committed to keeping students in school, while ₦200 billion has been allocated to revitalise universities and clear allowances.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has provided a fresh update on its ongoing talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), assuring Nigerians that progress is being made toward resolving long-standing issues affecting the nation’s tertiary education system.

Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed that the government remains committed to a lasting agreement with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions through a transparent and unified negotiation process.

ASUU Negotiation Update

Dr. Alausa revealed that the Yayale Ahmed-led Expanded Negotiation Committee will, in the coming days, receive ASUU’s counteroffer as part of efforts to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement.

“Tomorrow, the committee will receive that counteroffer from ASUU,” he said. “The committee has already reached out to ASUU and other tertiary unions to start fixing dates and times for meetings.”

He stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a firm directive that “our children must remain in school,” and assured that every effort will be made to prevent another nationwide university strike.

FG’s Commitment to Education

According to the minister, many of the unresolved issues date back more than a decade, long before the Tinubu administration, but the current government is determined to provide a permanent solution.

He added that a harmonised negotiation structure now brings all tertiary institution unions — both academic and non-academic — under one expanded committee, ensuring faster and more coordinated results.

Financial Commitments to Universities

Dr. Alausa disclosed that the government has already released ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for the revitalisation of public universities.

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Promotion arrears and wage award issues have also been addressed, while all outstanding allowances are expected to be cleared by 2026, he added.

Appeal for Patience from Unions

The Minister urged ASUU and other unions to remain patient and avoid further industrial actions while negotiations continue.

“We’re sincere, truthful and genuinely interested in resolving these issues. Over the last 24 months, this government has shown good faith. We need to keep our children in school; that’s the President’s commitment,” he stated.

For the first time, the Minister of Justice and the Solicitor-General are directly involved in the negotiations to ensure every agreement is legally binding.

“This is the first time ASUU and other unions are negotiating with the government where the Solicitor-General and the Minister of Justice will sign off on every agreement. We’re doing this holistically and with full intent to resolve it once and for all,” Alausa concluded.