No More Broken Agreements, Federal Govt Assures Tertiary Institutions’ Workers

BY HENRY TYOHEMBA AND GABI HIBBATULLAH, Abuja

The Federal Government has assured employees in universities, polytechnics and schools of schooling that it’s going to honour agreements reached with their unions, declaring that the period of unfulfilled guarantees and extended industrial disputes should give technique to belief, accountability and sustained dialogue.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the reassurance on the unveiling of the 2026 agreements between the Federal Government and employees unions of tertiary establishments in Abuja yesterday.

The Minister stated the federal government was dedicated to implementing the agreements, stressing that public confidence would depend upon its willingness to fulfil the obligations undertaken.

“Let me state clearly, on behalf of the Federal Government, that we will fulfil our part of this historic agreement. We recognise that public confidence will depend on the obligations we honour after this ceremony,” he stated.

He lamented that earlier agreements between the federal government and employees unions had been typically adopted by delays, incomplete implementation, and unfulfilled commitments, leading to declining belief, recurring disputes, and extended strikes throughout universities, polytechnics, and schools of schooling.

According to him, the disruptions had imposed extra monetary burdens on households, affected educating and analysis, and denied college students worthwhile studying time.

“Most importantly, students lost precious months and years. Families faced additional costs and uncertainty, while teaching and research suffered. A four-year programme too often extended beyond four years,” Alausa stated.

He attributed the newest agreements to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to reforming the schooling sector and enhancing the welfare of its workforce, including that the administration was decided to revive confidence between the federal government and unions.

The minister stated the agreements additionally mirrored the President’s marketing campaign promise that college students ought to have the ability to full four-year diploma programmes inside the stipulated interval.

“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaigned, he promised that a four-year course would be completed in four years. Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge. A promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” he stated.

The minister disclosed that the agreements coated the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CARTA) for tutorial unions in universities, polytechnics and schools of schooling, in addition to the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) for non-teaching employees unions throughout the establishments.

He recalled that the settlement on CARTA for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was unveiled in December, whereas the newest ceremony prolonged the preparations to different tutorial and non-academic unions within the tertiary schooling system.

According to him, each allowances took impact from January 2026 and have been paid to tertiary establishments.

“Today, I can report to you that both CARTA and CONTA have been paid to all tertiary institutions,” he stated.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Education recommended Alausa for his management in resolving disputes inside the tertiary schooling sector, saying the agreements marked a major milestone in enhancing employees welfare and strengthening industrial relations.

He stated the agreements went past the formal presentation of negotiated phrases, describing them as a chance to rebuild belief, reaffirm commitments and create an enabling surroundings for efficient supply of high quality tertiary schooling.

“This gathering represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen industrial relations, improve staff welfare and promote a stable, productive and responsive tertiary education system in Nigeria,” he stated.