Nigeria’s education authorities say they are finalising negotiations with university unions to resolve long-standing disputes over pay and conditions and to prevent a return to nationwide strikes.
Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa confirmed on Wednesday that the government is preparing a counter-offer for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary unions. He spoke at a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service in Abuja.
Alausa noted that around 80 per cent of union demands were common across tertiary institutions, while the remainder involved sector-specific issues. He said the administration had already made “substantial progress,” including the payment of ₦50 billion in Earned Academic Allowances and budgetary provision of ₦150 billion for needs assessments in 2025.
“Lecturers deserve to be paid well, but we cannot give everything at once. What we can guarantee is steady progress and genuine commitment,” he said.
The minister also confirmed that promotion arrears, teaching allowances and wage awards were being settled, with all outstanding obligations expected to be cleared by 2026.
He appealed to unions not to resort to strikes, stressing that for the first time, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Ministry of Justice officials were part of the negotiations to guarantee the legal enforceability of agreements.
“We are sincere, we are truthful, and we have shown this since President Tinubu assumed office,” Alausa added.
