The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that Nigerian students must remain in school, assuring that the federal government is close to finalizing lasting agreements with all tertiary education unions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Alausa said the ongoing negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institutions’ unions are progressing under a unified framework designed to ensure efficiency, transparency, and legally enforceable outcomes.
“Today, I reaffirmed Mr. President’s clear directive: our students must remain in school. We are intensifying negotiations with all tertiary unions and are close to concluding fair and lasting agreements,” the minister said.
He explained that the current administration has departed from past fragmented approaches by adopting a consolidated negotiation model. According to him, a Technical Working Group—comprising representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office, the Ministry of Labour, and, for the first time, the Solicitor-General and officials from the Ministry of Justice—is finalizing the government’s position to guarantee sustainable and enforceable agreements.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted significant government interventions already made in the education sector, including the release of ₦50 billion for arrears and allowances, a ₦150 billion allocation for the Needs Assessment Fund, and the resolution of promotion arrears and wage award issues.
Appealing to university and polytechnic unions, the minister urged continued dialogue instead of resorting to industrial action.
“I appeal to our unions—dialogue, not strikes, must remain our path forward. This government is sincere, proactive, and committed to stability in our education system,” he added.
The minister’s assurance comes amid ongoing discussions aimed at preventing disruptions in Nigeria’s tertiary education calendar and restoring confidence in the country’s academic institutions.
