In a recent meeting at his Abuja office, Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman engaged with the leadership of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) to address several pressing issues affecting university education in Nigeria.
The meeting, which was convened by the Minister, saw participation from CONUA’s national executive, including President Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu and General Secretary Dr. Henry Oripeloye.
During the discussions, Dr. Sunmonu expressed appreciation to Prof. Mamman for the opportunity to address the union’s concerns directly.
The primary issues presented by CONUA included the payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries related to the 2022 ASUU strike—an action that did not involve CONUA, but affected its members.
The union also highlighted the need for the payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances, promotion arrears, and timely pension payments. Other concerns included negotiations through collective bargaining, third-party deductions from the withheld salaries, and the status of the NEEDS Assessment Committee.
In response, Minister Mamman acknowledged that the Federal Government was aware of these issues and requested patience and perseverance from the unions.
He emphasized the importance of stakeholder involvement in generating ideas to improve the sector, stating that the Ministry is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of service within the education sector.
This meeting marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing challenges faced by academic staff in Nigerian universities and reflects the government’s readiness to engage with key stakeholders in resolving these issues.