Tag: Education Minister

The University of His branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has dismissed the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa’s claim that the federal government released ₦50 billion for university revitalisation, accusing him of making “misleading statements” about the government’s fulfillment of agreements with university staff. In a statement signed by branch chairperson Prof. Jurbe Joseph Molwus, ASUU recalled that it issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 22, 2025, demanding the payment of outstanding entitlements or risk a total strike. The union warned that industrial action may resume if the issues are not addressed within the next two weeks. According to the union, “not much progress has been recorded” since the ultimatum, with staff yet to receive withheld salaries, wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and other entitlements. “As we prepare for our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8–9, we expect that outstanding entitlements, including 3.5 months of withheld salaries, 25–35 per cent wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries of some members, would have been settled. But all we get are press releases from the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need are credit alerts, not misleading statements,” the statement read. Reacting to Dr. Alausa’s claim that ₦2.3 billion had been disbursed to clear salary and promotion arrears across federal universities, ASUU described the figure as “grossly inadequate and almost insulting,” noting it could barely cover three universities. “The Minister’s claim of clearing the backlog exists only in his imagination. He must clarify what portion of the outstanding entitlements this money is meant to cover and for whom,” ASUU said. The union also criticized the minister for “inconsistent and contradictory statements” regarding ASUU’s demands, urging him to engage sincerely with stakeholders rather than issue “empty rhetoric.” “It is time the Honourable Minister of Education recognized that only genuine engagement can resolve ASUU’s demands. Palliatives do not solve systemic problems; perhaps he should take a cue from his counterpart in the Ministry of Health,” the statement added. ASUU further questioned the effectiveness of the Minister of State for Education, stating that, as a former member of the university system, she should have demonstrated greater understanding and commitment to addressing the challenges. The union called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show genuine commitment to resolving the longstanding crisis in tertiary education by appointing a minister who understands the sector’s issues. “If President Tinubu truly wants to end the prolonged dispute with university unions, he needs a competent minister who understands the challenges facing higher education,” ASUU said. The union urged students, parents, and the public to pressure the government to act promptly, warning that the four-week ultimatum expires on November 21, 2025. “The strike was only suspended as a mark of goodwill in collective bargaining. We expect the government to reciprocate by addressing our demands without further delay,” Prof. Molwus said.