The Federal Government of Nigeria has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its decision to embark on an industrial strike, stressing that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving all outstanding issues in the nation’s tertiary education system.
EpeInsights reports that in a joint statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, disclosed that the government has presented a comprehensive offer to the union and is awaiting ASUU’s official response.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, the government’s offer covers ASUU’s key demands, including improved working conditions, institutional governance reforms, and staff welfare enhancement.
“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled,” the statement read.
“The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received.”
The Ministers noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has approved a robust teaching allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities. They maintained that the Federal Government has demonstrated sincerity and commitment through prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector.
Despite these efforts, they lamented that ASUU has yet to reciprocate the government’s goodwill and appears determined to proceed with the proposed strike action.
“The government has approached this matter with genuine commitment, but ASUU’s insistence on strike, despite a pending offer and ongoing engagement, is unhelpful,” the statement noted.
The Ministers reaffirmed President Tinubu’s dedication to the welfare of university lecturers and the stability of the academic calendar.
They explained that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are grounded in fairness, accountability and institutional strengthening aimed at achieving sustainable academic excellence.
They also clarified that while the administration respects university autonomy, certain aspects of ASUU’s demands — particularly those concerning appointments, promotions, and internal governance — are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils and must be handled accordingly.
On the possibility of invoking sanctions, the Ministers reminded the union that the “No Work, No Pay” principle remains an extant provision of Nigerian labour law and would be enforced if ASUU proceeds with the strike.
“While the government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,” they warned.
Reiterating the government’s readiness for continued dialogue, the statement assured Nigerians that the administration remains committed to revitalising public universities, improving staff welfare, and sustaining uninterrupted learning across campuses.
“The government has shown sincerity and commitment through engagements and policy actions. We are confident that with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be addressed and resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school,” the Ministers added.
They concluded by urging ASUU to prioritise the future of Nigerian students over industrial disputes and to work with the Federal Government to consolidate ongoing improvements in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms.
