FG Committed to Averting Strikes in Tertiary Institutions – Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to preventing industrial action in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Alausa disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has issued a clear directive to his administration: ensure that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions do not resort to strike action.

“The President has directed that not again in this country will ASUU, or tertiary institution trade unions go on strike,” the minister said during the programme.

Alausa explained that the Federal Government is engaging consistently with unions across the sector, including ASUU, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

“It is just not promising, there has to be a lot of relationship building. Beyond that, the government is meeting its obligation with these unions,” he said.

He pointed out that previous administrations often failed to honour agreements reached with the unions, leading to repeated industrial actions.

“That is what has been lacking in the past governments. They sit with these unions, they are very good people. Over the years, government will just renege on those agreements,” Alausa added.

The minister also dismissed speculation about an imminent strike in tertiary institutions, noting that the government’s ongoing engagements are yielding positive results.

He highlighted improvements in the education sector, noting that some public universities in Nigeria are beginning to gain global recognition.

Alausa’s remarks came shortly after the ASUU branch at Yobe State University announced the suspension of its strike, which began on July 11, 2025.

According to the branch chairman, Ahmed Karage, the industrial action was called off after the union reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yobe State Government to address outstanding issues.

“Following the MoU, the president of ASUU has granted approval to call off the strike action,” the statement reads in part.

Karage directed all members of the branch to resume academic activities immediately.