From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA), has expressed concern over its exclusion from the renegotiation process on the 2009 agreement, saying the development was dangerous for academic system.
In a letter dated April 4, 2025 and addressed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), it was indicated that the committee chaired by Dr. Yayale Ahmed, has submitted its report on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the exclusion of CONUA.
Reacting to the development, the national president of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, in a statement yesterday, described the development as surprising and disappointing, noting that CONUA had earlier received a formal letter of invitation from the Minister of Education, dated December 20, 2024, directing the committee to engage with the union.
“However, up till the time of this release, CONUA has not been invited to make any submission or contribution to the renegotiation process. The union wonders how it was possible for a committee to jettison the mandate of a minister, who put the committee in place in this important national assignment.
“It is important to underscore that the 2009 agreement was entered into on behalf of all academic staff in Nigerian universities as of that time. With the current existence of three recognised academic unions, it is imperative that all stakeholders be carried along in matters relating to the welfare and conditions of service of their members.
“The exclusion of CONUA, a registered and legitimate union, from such a crucial process undermines principles of fairness, inclusiveness and democratic engagement, as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) convention and ratified by the Federal Government of Nigeria, within the university system.
“The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement is not just about revisiting past commitments but about shaping the future of academic labour relations, service conditions and institutional stability in Nigeria’s higher education sector. It is, therefore, inappropriate and untenable for one union to represent the interests of others in a plural union environment, as we currently operate in Nigeria.
“We call on the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, to urgently look into this matter and correct the oversight. The continued exclusion of CONUA could erode the fragile stability currently enjoyed by the academic system and trigger avoidable discontent among staff. Part of the potential backlash includes the disruption of the relatively smooth academic calendar that the Nigerian public university system has enjoyed over the past two years, a feat that has been made possible, in part, by CONUA’s principled stance on non-disruptive unionism.
“The Federal Government must take urgent steps to avoid a relapse into instability by ensuring that all duly registered academic unions are recognised and engaged on equal footing, starting from this ongoing policy process that concerns their welfare and working conditions and going into the future.
“CONUA remains committed to constructive engagement, academic excellence and sustainable reform in the Nigerian university system,” Sunmonu said.