By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal Government is set to present a counteroffer to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions, as it commences the final phase of negotiations with the unions.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service of ASUU.
He said the group was finalising a counteroffer to be presented to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee.
The minister expressed optimism that outstanding issues would soon be resolved to prevent further industrial action, adding 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.
He said, “The president has made it clear that our children must remain in school. The technical group is working to finalise a component of the condition of service that has to be proposed. They are working to finalise a counteroffer to them.
“Hopefully by the end of today, or latest tomorrow, the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expected Negotiations Committee will receive that counteroffer to ASUU.”
Alausa said the committee, which was inaugurated earlier in the week, had begun deliberations to fast-track agreement and implementation timelines.
He noted that President Tinubu’s administration had released N50 billion of the Earned Academic Allowance, even as the N150 billion was included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment to be released in three tranches.
“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.
“They (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.
“But it’s the gesture, our benevolence, commitment to at least get substantial benefits and financial reward to you.
“This government is doing other things to improve your welfare. At this point, we’ve addressed several of the issues that we’ve brought up,” the minister stated.
Alausa also confirmed 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 minister assured of the government’s commitment to mutual respect and sustainable solutions, and appealed to academic and non-academic unions to exercise patience and avoid strikes as a first resort.
Alausa said, “We have resolved a lot of these issues. But we know the final part is the condition of service. We will resolve that as well.
“So we are pleading with the unions, both academic and non-academic and tertiary institutions to be patient. This government is sincere, and we are truthful.
“We have shown you this over the last 24 months plus, that the administration of President Bola Tinubu came on board. So please bear with us and be patient.”
