Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says there is no binding agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
DrAlausa disclosed this in Abuja when fielding questions from journalists on the ongoing ASUU protest across the country.
The Minister clarified that contrary to the impression by some Nigerians, government had never signed any binding agreement with ASUU and described the document as a draft.
He reiterated government’s commitment to resolve issues raised by the union and said President Bola Tinubu had mandated the Ministry to find a lasting solution that would keep Nigerian children in school.
The Minister emphasized that the administration is not interested in bogus or unsustainable agreements but in reaching an accord that was implementable and constitutionally backed.
Dr Alausa stressed that ASUU’s recent protests would not degenerate into strike action, as government had engaged the union continuously and meticulously.
According to him, President has made it clear that every promise made to ASUU and Nigerians will be fulfilled truthfully and honestly.
Dr Alausa also pointed out that the Ministry held a high level meeting with stakeholders today (Aug. 28) to find lasting solution to the lingering problems.
He noted that the meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Minister of Labour and Productivity, and Solicitor-General of the Federation.
The Minister explained that the meeting reviewed ASUU’s proposals line by line which would be fine-tuned by the committee’s technical team.
Dr Alausa maintained that the team would submit a clean report that would be forwarded to the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee to renegotiate the 2009 ASUU/FG Agreement.
