FG Opens Fresh Talks With ASUU And University Unions

The Federal Government has launched a new round of negotiations with university and polytechnic unions, reconstituting the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to resolve long-standing disputes in the education sector.

The move comes amid renewed strike threats from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other staff unions.

The initiative follows ASUU’s nationwide mobilisation ahead of a potential warning strike as its 14-day ultimatum draws to an end this week. Similarly, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and other academic bodies have warned of indefinite industrial action over unpaid salaries, allowances, and other unfulfilled agreements.

Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, who inaugurated the new committee in Abuja, said the goal is to unify all dialogue platforms under one structure that ensures fairness, continuity, and institutional representation. He was joined by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed.

According to a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, the government wants to put an end to repeated strike cycles through structured dialogue and compromise. The statement added that the expanded committee will serve as a single platform for all tertiary unions to negotiate a lasting solution.

Dr. Alausa explained that the committee’s composition reflects the diversity of the education sector, bringing together key representatives from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. He said the committee now has a functional secretariat and will hold its first meeting immediately, urging all unions to engage constructively.

The minister noted that President Bola Tinubu has given full support to the process, directing that all negotiations be concluded fairly and without delay. He praised the patience of unions while assuring them that the government remains committed to resolving their concerns permanently.

Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the government for the trust placed in the team. He pledged to approach the task with transparency and objectivity, saying the committee’s focus is to develop lasting solutions that will bring stability to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its readiness to restore peace and confidence within the education system through inclusive dialogue and fair negotiation. It also restated that the new initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring continuous learning, improved welfare for educators, and a stable academic calendar across all tertiary institutions.