Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government assured university-based unions and organised labour on Wednesday of its commitment to honouring all existing agreements, appealing for patience and cooperation.
Education Minister, Dr Olatunji Alausa, made the statement at the 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in Abuja, emphasising that President Bola Tinubu’s administration aims to fulfil its obligations to unions.
Alausa acknowledged the “historic frustrations” unions have faced from unmet promises by previous administrations.
“President Tinubu, known for his democratic values and decision-making in the interest of the country, remains committed to meeting the obligations the government has made with these unions,” he assured.
The Minister urged patience from union members, pointing to economic stabilisation efforts, including subsidy removals and reforms in education and health.
Addressing ongoing challenges in the education sector, he added that the government is committed to fulfilling its pledges to university staff and students, with priority on industrial harmony.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to promoting industrial peace across our universities,” he said.
“We recognise that staff welfare, when properly negotiated and implemented, translates into a more productive and stable academic environment.”
He reaffirmed the government’s intention to complete payments on outstanding allowances for university workers.
“This is why we are actively engaged in dialogue with university staff associations, seeking to address grievances and implement agreements effectively.
“We understand that the future of our education system hinges on collaboration, mutual respect, and accountability,” Alausa added.
He also noted, “The government is here to negotiate in good faith. President Tinubu is a Democrat who will work to fulfil the obligations he has entered into.”
Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, highlighted the importance of upholding labour agreements.
Speaking on the theme “Respecting Collective Bargaining Agreements and Industrial Peace in a Democracy,” Wabba criticised those who “violate the rules of democracy” and, by extension, labour agreements.
He stated, “The truth is that those who violate the rules of democracy to get into positions of political leadership would also violate the rules of collective bargaining agreements…The maxim is ‘once a rulebreaker, always a rulebreaker.’”
Wabba expressed concern over the impact of Nigeria’s economic situation on workers, saying, “The deteriorating socio-economic conditions in Nigeria have impacted negatively on workers across the country, making a mess of the new minimum wage.”
He stressed that mutual respect for agreements is essential to maintaining industrial harmony between the government and unions.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, called on the government to release withheld salaries and funds owed to university staff.
“We urge the government to release the remaining three months withheld salaries, the ₦50 billion earned allowances, arrears of 25/35 percent, and the wage award,” Ibrahim stated.
He also highlighted recent struggles facing Nigerian workers, noting that “government policies have impoverished the already downtrodden Nigerian worker, thereby subjecting them to an almost slavish existence.”
He warned that constant breaches of agreements have led to frequent protests and strikes, saying, “Unfortunately, the trend has created a situation where unions and their leaders are being perceived as being too belligerent or strike-happy.”