“Tinubu Has Directed That ASUU Must Not Go on Strike Again” — Education Minister Alausa

President Bola Tinubu has given a firm directive that staff unions in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), must no longer embark on industrial action, according to Minister of Education Tunji Alausa.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Alausa said the Federal Government is actively working with unions in the education sector to prevent future strikes and ensure stability in academic activities.

“The President has directed that not again in this country will ASUU or tertiary institution trade unions go on strike,” Alausa stated.

He added that government officials are in regular dialogue with ASUU, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and are committed to honouring existing agreements.

“There has to be a lot of relationship building. Beyond that, the government is meeting its obligation with these unions. That is what has been lacking in the past governments,” Alausa said. “Over the years, government would just renege on those agreements.”

He also dismissed rumours of an impending strike in public universities and said the administration’s education reforms are beginning to yield results, with some Nigerian universities improving their global rankings.

His remarks come shortly after the ASUU branch at Yobe State University called off its strike, which began on July 11. Branch chairman Ahmed Karage confirmed the decision followed a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Yobe State Government. ASUU’s national leadership approved the resolution, and lecturers have been directed to return to work immediately.