End ASUU Strike, Tinubu Directs Education Minister
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, to take immediate steps to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), saying he does not want another strike to disrupt academic activities across Nigerian universities.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa on Tuesday, the minister said the federal government had already addressed “literally all” of ASUU’s demands and was making fresh efforts to reach a final agreement with the union.
“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school,” Alausa said. “
The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed. We’ve met literally all their requirements.”
He explained that the government had reopened talks with ASUU leadership to address any outstanding issues and ensure a sustainable resolution that would prevent future disruptions in the university calendar.
“Now we’ve gone back to the negotiation table. Part of my visit here today is to explain where we are with the ASUU strike to Mr. President and to extract more concessions from him,” the minister added.
The directive comes amid concerns that the union might embark on a fresh nationwide strike over unresolved matters relating to earned academic allowances, revitalisation funds, and salary arrears.
President Tinubu’s intervention is seen as part of his administration’s broader commitment to stabilising the education sector and ensuring uninterrupted learning across tertiary institutions.
The latest development follows weeks of tension between the union and the federal government, as ASUU leaders continue to insist that the government fully implements previous agreements reached in 2020 and 2022.
With the President’s directive, expectations are high that a concrete resolution may soon be reached to avert further disruption in the academic calendar.
