The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, has called on educational unions, including ASUU and SSANU, to prioritize dialogue and the welfare of Nigerian students over industrial actions.
Speaking at the 359th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of SSANU in Abuja, Alausa acknowledged the unions' frustrations with unfulfilled government agreements but reassured them of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to honoring promises and addressing longstanding issues.
“President Tinubu is determined to take the tough decisions needed to reposition Nigeria. Let’s give his administration the benefit of the doubt and collaborate for the sake of our children’s education,” Alausa urged.
He attributed the government’s financial constraints to unsustainable policies of past administrations, such as subsidies and artificially low exchange rates, which drained resources that could have supported education.
Dr. Alausa also emphasized the importance of collective bargaining, revealing that a committee led by respected figures is working to address union grievances, including requests for withheld allowances.
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba echoed the need for trust and transparency, highlighting the social and economic costs of strikes while calling for reforms to strengthen collective bargaining agreements.
The conference underscored the shared responsibility of unions and the government to safeguard Nigeria’s educational future through constructive engagement.
