At the opening of the 359th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of SSANU in Abuja on Wednesday, Education Minister Dr. Morufu Alausa called on labour unions, especially those in education, to prioritise Nigerian students’ welfare over strike actions.
He emphasised that industrial action should not be the first step in addressing unions’ grievances with the government.
Dr. Alausa acknowledged union frustrations over unfulfilled agreements but assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to fulfilling its promises, citing the President’s willingness to make challenging decisions for the nation’s progress.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s leadership as Lagos State Governor, he urged unions to grant the government time and trust.
The Minister explained that past policies, like heavy subsidy expenditures and artificially low exchange rates, drained resources, limiting funds for essential sectors such as education.
He urged labour unions to engage in collective bargaining, emphasising mutual respect, and shared progress on union demands, such as SSANU members’ withheld allowances.
Ayuba Wabba, former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, highlighted repeated breaches in agreements as a significant cause of strikes and called for a more trustworthy collective bargaining system.
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