“The Ministers further stressed that the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
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“They believe that dialogue is still the most efficient and long-lasting method for resolving disagreements, and the government is still willing to engage at any level in order to avoid causing unnecessary disruption in the education sector.
“They, however, emphasised that the “no work, no pay” policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted in the nation’s universities. While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources.
The statement reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that the Federal Government is committed to preserving industrial harmony in tertiary education. “In the collective interest of the nation's higher education system, ministers urged all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue rather than conflict.
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They stated, "They reiterated that the government's education reform agenda is designed to enhance teaching and research conditions," "promote institutional autonomy through strengthened university governance," and "ensure that the academic community thrives in an environment of mutual respect.
On Sunday, university professors announced a nationwide strike that would begin on Monday, October 13. ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
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Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).