Tinubu directs Education Minister to resolve ASUU dispute swiftly, saying no more strikes should disrupt Nigerian universities

Tinubu directs Education Minister on ASUU dispute as he moves to avert another strike in Nigeria’s university system.

Also read: ASUU strike ultimatum backed by NLC in bold joint move

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of Education, Mr. Olatunji Alausa, to act swiftly and resolve the ongoing industrial disagreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the President at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, Alausa said the government had met “literally all” of ASUU’s demands and was now seeking further concessions from the President to ensure lasting peace in the tertiary sector.

“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school.

The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed,” the Minister said.

He explained that the administration had reopened talks with the union, adding that Tinubu’s directive reflects his commitment to education and human capital development.

According to Alausa, a new unified committee led by Yayale Ahmed has been set up to handle negotiations with all tertiary institution unions including ASUU, ASUP, and the Colleges of Education Staff Union to streamline dialogue and prevent future disputes.

“What we’ve done now is to expand one single committee. They’re dealing with both academic and non-academic unions.

There is no ultimatum. Everything is calm, and they understand this is a listening government,” he noted.

He also highlighted the creation of the Federal Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Portal, which now publishes data on enrolment, budgets, and intervention funds across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

“We are running an evidence-based government. If you don’t have data, it’s like you’re flying blind,” Alausa said.

ASUU has long clashed with the Federal Government over issues including salary arrears, the renegotiated 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, revitalisation funds, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

The union’s repeated strikes have disrupted academic calendars and weakened the global reputation of Nigerian universities.

Despite the tension, Alausa assured that dialogue is ongoing and that there is “no ultimatum” from the joint tertiary unions or the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Also read: ASUU begins two-week warning strike over failed talks

“I’m in constant touch with all union leaders. Everything is calm, and they know this is a listening government. We will resolve a significant part of their problems,” he concluded.