FG begins negotiations with ASUU to avert strike

The Federal Government has commenced the final phase of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions over a planned industrial action.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a meeting with the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service of ASUU in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Alausa expressed optimism that outstanding issues would soon be resolved to prevent further industrial action.

Alausa said the group was finalising a counter-offer to be presented to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee.

The minister stated that the committee’s work aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all efforts must be made to keep Nigerian students in school and avoid disruptions to the academic calendar.

“Hopefully by the end of today, or latest tomorrow, the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expected Negotiations Committee will receive that counter-offer to ASUU,” he said.

ASUU mobilises members for strike as FG fails to meet demands

Alausa added that about 80 per cent of the unions’ demands were similar across tertiary institutions, with the remaining 20 per cent reflecting sector-specific concerns.

He said the committee, inaugurated earlier in the week, had begun intensive deliberations to fast-track agreement and implementation timelines.

The minister said the Tinubu administration had made significant progress with the payment of the Earned Academic Allowance of N50 billion released by the president.

Alausa stated: “In addition, N150 billion was included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, and this will be released in three tranches, with the first N50 billion ready.

“The lecturers deserve to be paid so much, and our academic and non-academic staff. But then, we can’t give you everything you want at the same time.

“This government is doing other things to improve their (lecturers) welfare. At this point, we’ve addressed several of the issues that we’ve brought up.”

Alausa added that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, had been addressed, while all remaining areas would be cleared by 2026.

The Star