The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for claiming that the Federal Government has never signed any agreement with the union.
Dr. Alausa made the remark during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he stated that documents often referenced by ASUU were mere negotiation proposals, not binding agreements.
He explained that the controversial 2021 agreement was never formally signed by the government, insisting that the current administration seeks to establish a new, actionable, and constitutionally compliant agreement with the union.
The minister said the Tinubu-led government is committed to resolving long-standing issues with university lecturers and has already released N50 billion this year to settle earned academic allowances.
ASUU, however, maintains that its demands go beyond allowances. The union has consistently pushed for improved salaries, better conditions of service, enhanced university autonomy, and comprehensive reforms in the education sector.
Responding to the minister’s claim, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, accused the government of poor record-keeping and questioned the continuity between successive administrations.
Piwuna said the minister’s remarks suggest there may be a lack of proper handover and institutional memory within the government, which continues to hinder meaningful dialogue.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alausa announced the formation of a high-level technical team, including top officials from various ministries and agencies, to finalise a clean proposal for ASUU. He promised that the process would be thorough, fast, and aimed at reaching a sustainable agreement.