By Dr. Gberindyer F. Aondover
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has demonstrated a lack of sincerity in its dealings with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Despite signing the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which promised increased funding of education, university autonomy, and academic freedom, etc. the FGN has failed to implement substantial aspects of the agreement’s content. Over 90% of the agreement remains unimplemented, with only a few aspects partially implemented.
The FGN’s lack of commitment is further evident in its handling of various committees constituted to review and renegotiate the agreement. The Chief Babalakin-led Committee, formed in 2017, produced nothing tangible due to the chairman’s lack of cooperation with ASUU. The committee’s failure to produce a draft document after 4 years is a clear indication of the FGN’s lack of sincerity.
Similarly, the Prof. Munzali Jubril-led Committee, formed in 2021, produced a draft document that was ignored by the FGN. Again, the Prof. Nimi Briggs-led Committee, formed in 2022, produced a viable and implementable document, but it was also ignored by the FGN. Thus, the FGN’s actions demonstrate a pattern of constituting committees without any genuine intention of implementing their recommendations.
The FGN’s latest actions have further reinforced this perception. The Alh. Yayale Ahmed-led Committee, formed in October 2024, reviewed the draft document produced by the late Prof. Nimi Briggs-led Committee and submitted it to the FGN. However, the FGN failed to communicate its position on the draft document to ASUU within the promised timeframe. Instead, the FGN rushed to constitute another Committee, the FG Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee (FGTIENC), after ASUU gave an ultimatum for a warning strike action.
It’s worth noting that ASUU has never been enthusiastic about embarking on strike actions. However, it has been compelled to do so by the FGN’s consistent failure to honour its agreements and implement meaningful reforms. The FGN’s actions suggest that it is more interested in delaying and avoiding meaningful negotiations with ASUU rather than finding a solution to the impasse.
Moreover, the FGN’s distortion of the Alh. Ahmed Yayale-led Committee’s draft document is a clear indication of its lack of sincerity. The FGN’s actions have led to frustration and mistrust among ASUU members, making it challenging to find a resolution to the ongoing labour dispute. The FGN must demonstrate its commitment to implementing the agreement and engaging in meaningful negotiations with ASUU to resolve the impasse and improve the university system and not the use of threats of “NO WORK, NO PAY”.
Dr. Gberindyer F. Aondover is the Convener, Balanced Rights Advocates, Nigeria (BRAN)
