FG Inaugurates 53-Member Re-Negotiation Committee On 2009 Agreement With University Unions

*Gives Yayale Ahmed Led Committee 3 Months To Submit Workable Agreement 

The Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, on Tuesday inaugurated a Re:Constituted 2009 Federal Government Re-negotiated Team with University Based Staff. 

The new committee, which is the fourth since the year 2017, has the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and ProChancellor Ahmad Bello University, Zaria, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as the Chairman with 52 other members including the ASUU President, Osodeke Victor Emmanuel. 

The three past failed attempts included the committees led by Wale Babalakin in 2017, Munzali Jubril in 2020, and Nimi Briggs in 2022.

Among the union past demands included the release of revitalisation fund for universities; the release of earned allowances for lecturers, the deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers; an end to the proliferation of universities by government, and renegotiation of the ASUU-FGN 2009 agreement, among others.

Giving the new committee the charge on Tuesday to do everything to resolve the issues in the education sector, Prof Mamman said President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring stability in the sector. 

According to him, the President also wants universities in Nigeria to compete favourably with their contemporaries across the globe. 

The Minister noted that the issues had lingered for so long because agreements that were difficult to implement were reached by the parties. 

He therefore urged the committee to carry out the assignment and come out with a workable agreement within the next three months. 

The Minister said "We are all stakeholders in the Nigeria business. I see the unions as our colleagues and brothers. The President is very happy we have stability in the education sector. 

"So basically, it is our hope and expectation that we will have agreement in the shortest possible time, say three months from now. 

"I've given the assurances of the President's support and cooperation in the course of this national assignment." 

While urging the reconstituted committee to intensify efforts on the assignment, he said the outcome should be realistic and workable agreements that would address the challenges facing Nigerian Universities, make them at par with others globally and effectively contribute their quota to national development.

“In the composition of this important committee, we have members who are exceptionally experienced in university matters and beyond.

“There are officials appointed from other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to serve as advisors or observers on the committee, bringing in valuable information to ensure transparency in the process.

“You may recall that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements between the Federal Government and the university-based staff unions (ASUU, NAAT, SSANU, and NASU) commenced on Monday, February 13, 2017.

“Regrettably, this process has lingered due to a number of unforeseen circumstances. However, it is important to note that the immediate past leadership of the Renegotiation Committee under Professor Nimi Briggs produced a draft report covering significant areas that can serve as a foundation for concluding the exercise,” the Minister said.

He charged the committee to start work from where the last committee ended. 

Accepting the responsibility to lead the new committee, Yayale Ahmed urged the Federal Government to be sincere in the new negotiation effort. 

"On behalf of the committee, I will like to assure you and the President of our commitment to do this job thoroughly. We are here for a continuous service to the nation. 

"We are committed and will deliver by the grace of Allah. We are doing it on your behalf and when we come, you should listen to us. Don't frustrate us." he pleaded 

He also urged ASUU and other unions to reconsider their demands in the interest of the nation so that the nation can have employable youths.

He harped on patriotism and sincerity of purpose in carrying out the assignment. 

Yayale Ahmed also urged the Federal Government not to see payments to teachers as mere personnel costs, but should be viewed as investment. 

The Committee Chairman noted that all documents pertaining to the issues are available.

On his past, the ASUU President, while thanking the government for the inauguration of the new committee, hoped that it will not end up like the past committees. 

He also noted that the document from the last committee will be a good starting point for the new committee. 

Other members of the Re:Constituted committee are Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Senator Prof. Nora Daduut, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, Professor Ignatius Onimao, Senator Joshua Lidani, Prof Ayodeji Omole.

Others are Piwuna Christopher, Sado Austen, Adejumo Adejobi, Sowande Olusiji Sunday, Okey Stella-Maris, Babayo M. Adamu, Ogunyemi Biodun, Isa Nasir Fagge Asobie Assisi, Fashina Oladipo, Sule-KANO Abdullahi, Sunmonu Hassan, Prof. Suleiman D. Abdul, Alphonsus Alubo, SAN, Dr. Ahmed Yakasai. 

Also in the Committee are Dr. Victor Igbum,  Dr. George-Genyi, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Aliyu, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, Prof. Idowu Awopetu, Prof. Anthony Monye-Emina, Dr. Adesola Nasir, Peter Ozo-Eson, Muhammed M. Usman 

NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma President. 

Others are Sulyman Lawal A, Patrick O.  Idisi, Timothy T Afiagh, Abubakar V Yusuf, Khadijat Abubakar V, Aliyu A. Mukhtar, Mary J. Inyang, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim President, Dr. Leku Ador, Dr. Abdussobur Salaam, Comrade Isa Audu, Comrade Cheta Azumahent, Dr.Makolo Hassan, Prince Peters A.Adeyemi, JP., Com.Buhari Suleiman, Com.Isiaq Odunjo, Com.Eugenia John-Anuruo, Com.Ruth Bamiduro Aku, Com.Ivor M.Takor, and Com.Damola Adelekun.

At the inauguration were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, and Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo.