The Federal Government has dismissed claims that it entered into any binding agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), saying the documents being circulated are mere proposals.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja on Thursday while responding to questions on the union’s ongoing nationwide protest.
Alausa stressed that contrary to public perception, no enforceable pact exists between the government and ASUU, noting that what has been tagged an “agreement” was only a draft still under review.
“We are committed to solving this problem once and for all. What has lingered since the 2009 and 2021 agreements will now be addressed in a sustainable way.
“The President has made it clear that every promise made to ASUU and Nigerians will be fulfilled truthfully and honestly,” the minister said.
The education minister assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration would not endorse “bogus or unsustainable agreements” but would instead push for an accord that is practical, constitutionally backed, and implementable.
He added that while ASUU members had taken to the streets in protest, the situation would not escalate into a strike, as the government had been in continuous engagement with the union.
Alausa disclosed that a high-level meeting was held on Thursday involving key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Labour and Justice, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, permanent secretaries, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office.
He revealed that the meeting reviewed ASUU’s proposals line by line, with a technical team expected to submit a “clean report” for consideration by the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee on the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement.
“We want an agreement where every component is actionable and feasible. Nigerians can be assured that this government will keep our schools open and ensure our children remain in classrooms,” Alausa maintained.
The minister further explained that unlike in the past, the Ministry of Justice would play a more central role in the negotiation process to ensure that the final deal aligns with constitutional provisions.
ASUU has repeatedly accused the Federal Government of failing to honour past agreements, particularly the 2009 deal and subsequent memoranda of understanding, which cover funding, lecturers’ welfare, and university revitalisation.
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