The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has stated that the reason why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) no longer embarked on strike action was due to Federal Government’s continued efforts to ensure industrial harmony in the nation’s Federal Tertiary Institutions.
Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade in a statement issued on Tuesday said Dr. Alausa disclosed this while speaking in Abuja.
The Minister noted that the current atmosphere of stability across tertiary institutions was the result of sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and genuine commitment by the present administration to address the demands of academic and non-academic staff unions.
“It is not by coincidence that Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions have remained open and stable for the past two years, something that has not happened in several decades.
“This is a reflection of our government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining cordial relationships with all stakeholders in the education sector. We are meeting demands in phases, and we are doing so respectfully and consistently”, he said.
Dr. Alausa stressed that the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff remained a top priority for the Federal Government and was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Human Capital Development.
He reassured that the government will not relent in improving working conditions and protecting the academic calendar.
“Our children are the heartbeat of the nation, and their uninterrupted education is non-negotiable. The Federal Government will continue to work closely with all unions in the education sector to ensure that the gates of our institutions remain open,” he added.
The Minister concluded by urging the public to disregard any misinformation suggesting that ASUU was on strike, reiterating that the current stability in the university system was a joint achievement that must be preserved.
