The Federal Government has denied ever signing any formal agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), stating that the documents often referred to by the union were merely proposals made during negotiations.
The clarification was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Alausa said contrary to claims by ASUU, the 2009 and 2011 documents often cited as binding agreements were never signed by the government.
He explained that those documents were outcomes of discussions held at the time, but not official agreements approved or signed by the federal authorities.
“The documents ASUU has been referring to as agreements were just proposals that were never signed,” Alausa stated.
He highlighted that while past administrations may have made verbal or written promises, there is no legal agreement that binds the current administration to those terms.
This comes amid rising tension in the education sector, following threats by ASUU to resume industrial action over unresolved demands, including funding for public universities, unpaid academic allowances, and the implementation of previous agreements.
Despite distancing the current administration from past documents, Alausa assured that President Bola Tinubu’s government remains committed to peaceful dialogue and is working towards addressing the concerns of lecturers.
He said the government is reviewing all outstanding issues and intends to come up with sustainable solutions that will prevent future strikes and ensure stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“The President has directed that we find lasting solutions to these issues. We are engaging ASUU and other education stakeholders in good faith,” he said.
The minister also mentioned that the government is prioritizing education reforms to improve quality and access, while urging ASUU to be patient and cooperative.
Dr. Alausa also denied reports that he and the Minister of Labour and Employment had scheduled a joint meeting with ASUU in the coming days. He described such reports as inaccurate, adding that formal engagements with ASUU will be announced officially when planned.
“We have not fixed any joint meeting with ASUU at the moment. When such meetings are scheduled, they will be made public through proper channels,” he clarified.
ASUU has, for years, insisted that the federal government honour the 2009 agreement, which includes better funding for universities, improved welfare for academic staff, and autonomy in managing university affairs.
The union has gone on several nationwide strikes over these demands, including the eight-month strike in 2022, which disrupted academic calendars across the country.
ASUU leaders maintain that without concrete action from the government, universities will continue to suffer from poor infrastructure, brain drain, and a lack of motivation among academic staff.
The Education Minister’s statement has sparked mixed reactions among education stakeholders. Some believe it is an attempt to shift blame for past failures, while others say it opens the door for a fresh, realistic approach to resolving the ASUU crisis.
A university lecturer in Abuja, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “Whether the agreement was signed or not, the truth is that promises were made. The government must show good faith and honour them.”
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