The minister of education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa has unveiled a new agreement with non-academic staff unions in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, introducing consolidated allowances and a strengthened monitoring mechanism aimed at preventing industrial disputes and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.
The agreement was unveiled on Tuesday, in Abuja, with provisions for improved staff welfare, enhanced monitoring of implementation and renegotiation of its terms every three years.
The initiative is expected to promote industrial harmony across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education while addressing recurring disputes that have disrupted academic activities and delayed students’ graduation.
Under the agreement, the Alausa confirmed the introduction of the Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowance (CONTA) for academic unions in polytechnics and colleges of education, as well as the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Allowance (CONTA) for non-academic staff across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The allowances reportedly took effect in January 2026, with the government stating that payments had been made to the relevant institutions.
A major component of the agreement is the proposed expansion of the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee into a central body responsible for overseeing agreements involving academic and non-academic staff unions across tertiary institutions.
According to the government, the arrangement will strengthen coordination, identify implementation challenges early and provide a structured platform for resolving disagreements before they escalate into industrial action.
Plans are also underway to make the committee permanent to ensure continuous monitoring of agreements and provide a consistent mechanism for addressing grievances.
FG Targets Uninterrupted Academic Calendars
Alausa said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that students undertaking four-year degree programmes complete their studies within the stipulated period.
Frequent strikes and prolonged industrial disputes have remained a major concern in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, often resulting in delayed graduations, uncertainty for students and additional financial burdens on parents and guardians.
The minister expressed hope that improved monitoring, regular negotiations and stronger engagement with unions would reduce the likelihood of industrial disputes and protect students from avoidable academic disruptions.
However, the effectiveness of the agreement will depend on the commitment of both parties to implementing its provisions and honouring their respective obligations.
Unions Urged to Embrace Dialogue
The minister urged relevant agencies, governing councils and institutional managements to maintain accurate records and comply with the guidelines for implementing the agreement.
Union leaders were also encouraged to utilise established channels for resolving grievances rather than resorting to public confrontations or immediate industrial action.
The agreement provides for renegotiation every three years to allow both parties to review its provisions in response to changing economic realities and the welfare needs of tertiary education workers.
Alausa further urged unions to consider the country’s economic circumstances during future negotiations, emphasising the need to balance improved staff welfare with available financial resources.
The three-year review mechanism is expected to provide a predictable framework for engagement and help prevent unresolved demands from developing into prolonged industrial disputes.
Alausa Commends Negotiating Team
The government acknowledged the contributions of the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), COSEO and other non-teaching staff unions to the negotiation process.
He also commended the Federal Government negotiating committee, chaired by Yayali Ahmed, CFR, for facilitating discussions that led to the agreement.
The minister reaffirmed federal government commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement and sustaining constructive engagement with unions across the tertiary education sector.
It is expected to meet with the Implementation and Monitoring Committee and the federal government negotiating team to discuss arrangements for establishing a single, permanent committee to monitor the implementation of agreements across tertiary institutions.
The proposed meeting is expected to clarify the committee’s responsibilities and strengthen mechanisms for tracking compliance and resolving emerging disputes.
The agreement represents another attempt to address industrial tensions in Nigeria’s tertiary education system through improved staff welfare, structured negotiations and stronger implementation mechanisms.
Its ultimate success, however, will depend on how effectively the government and the unions fulfil their commitments, with students and their families among those most likely to benefit from sustained industrial peace and uninterrupted academic activities.
Meanwhile,
Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, has attributed the successful renegotiation of agreements between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions to dialogue, mutual respect, empathy and a willingness to compromise.
Ahmed, who chaired the Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee, said adopting a collaborative approach rather than an adversarial stance helped build trust and resolve longstanding disagreements between the government and organised labour.
He made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the renegotiated agreements between the Federal Government and non-academic staff unions in tertiary institutions.
According to him, the negotiating team deliberately sought to understand the concerns, expectations and frustrations of union leaders while explaining the financial and administrative constraints facing the government.
Ahmed disclosed that he initially hesitated to accept his appointment to lead the negotiations, having felt exhausted after years of public service. However, he eventually accepted the assignment following appeals from colleagues.
He said he subsequently realised that the responsibility required him to address longstanding disagreements between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), alongside other tertiary education unions.
“I decided that I should not see myself, nor should our team see itself, as we versus the unions,” Ahmed said, explaining the philosophy that guided the negotiation process.
He noted that the approach demanded patience and emotional resilience, particularly when discussions became tense and union representatives expressed frustration or questioned the credibility of the government’s negotiating team.
Ahmed, however, said his longstanding experience in labour relations helped him manage such situations, stressing that experience alone was not enough without a willingness by both parties to make concessions.
“The union has to give, government has to give, in the spirit of give-and-take,” he said.
The former Head of Service also commended the union leaders who participated in the negotiations, describing them as responsible representatives who defended their members’ interests while demonstrating an understanding of the government’s position.
He expressed optimism that sustained dialogue, mutual respect and a commitment to compromise would help strengthen industrial relations and promote stability across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.Editorial note: The source refers to negotiations involving both ASUU and non-teaching staff unions, but the event described focuses on the unveiling of agreements with non-academic staff unions. Confirm the precise scope of the agreements before publication to ensure the report accurately reflects the event.
