NIGERIA: FG Sets Up Panel to Review 2009 Agreement With ASUU

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Government has inaugurated a seven-member panel to review the contentious 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in a bid to avert another nationwide strike.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who announced the move in Abuja on Thursday, said the committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan, would fine-tune government’s counter-proposals before forwarding a report to the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee.

Alausa stressed that no binding agreement was ever signed with ASUU, explaining that previous documents were only drafts.

He said: “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.”

The minister added that the Ministry of Justice would be fully involved in the review process to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.

He assured that ASUU’s recent protests would not escalate into a strike, as the government had continued “meticulous engagement” with the union.

Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has issued a 21-day strike notice over unresolved welfare issues.

Rising from its 77th General Executive Council meeting in Kano, the union demanded immediate action on unpaid promotion arrears, wage awards, the release of Needs Assessment Funds for 2023–2025, and implementation of new conditions of service.

SSANIP President, Philip Ogunsipe, accused the government of paying lip service to polytechnic education.

He noted: “Despite several efforts to ensure peaceful resolution, the government has only paid lip service to the issues. If nothing is done within 21 days, we will be left with no option but to withdraw our services nationwide.”

ASUU’s demands include conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, outstanding third-party deductions, revitalisation funding for public universities, and a halt to the proliferation of universities.