The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has attributed the prolonged disputes between the Federal Government and university unions to the existence of numerous committees that previously handled negotiations.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Lagos, Alausa said earlier administrations created several panels to interface with academic and non academic unions, a move he believes led to inconsistent recommendations and confusion in decision making.
According to him, the current administration has streamlined the process by placing all negotiations under a single body known as the Yayale Ahmed Committee. He explained that the committee now engages with all relevant unions in the tertiary education sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, as well as non academic staff groups.
Alausa assured that discussions with ASUP and COEASU were progressing and that agreements would soon be concluded. He emphasised that the government was committed to fairness and would not favour one union over another.
As part of efforts to strengthen innovation and practical training in higher institutions, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government has set aside N200 billion for the construction of engineering workshops in selected universities and polytechnics nationwide. He said each participating university would receive N4 billion, while polytechnics would get N1 billion each.
He added that the initiative would build on ongoing efforts to establish simulation medical laboratories in some federal universities.
Addressing concerns about the abandoned Centres of Excellence initiated years ago by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Alausa revealed that completing the projects across the country would require more than N5 trillion. He cited the Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos as an example, noting that contractors estimate about N19 billion would be needed to finish the project.
The minister said he was engaging contractors to review the situation and explore practical solutions, while also holding discussions with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund on possible support.
On the suspended school feeding programme, Alausa expressed optimism that it would soon resume. He indicated that there were plans to possibly move the programme from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the Ministry of Education to ensure closer supervision and improved implementation.
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