The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, has met with the leadership of the Congress of University Academics to discuss a range of demands put forward by the group.
A statement signed by CONUA’s General Secretary, Dr. Henry Oripeloye, and obtained in Osogbo, revealed that the meeting took place at the Minister’s office in Abuja, with members of the national executive of CONUA in attendance.
Oripeloye explained that the meeting, convened by the Minister, focused on various issues affecting university education in the country, particularly the welfare of academic staff.
The CONUA President, Dr ‘Niyi Sunmonu, who led the union executives to the meeting, expressed gratitude to the Minister for inviting the union to such an important discussion.
He outlined several issues requiring government attention, including the payment of three and half months of withheld salaries resulting from the 2022 ASUU strike, in which CONUA did not participate, the payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance, payment of promotion arrears, timely payment of pensions, negotiation through collective bargaining, and payment of third-party deductions (from the withheld salaries paid through presidential prerogative), as well as the NEEDS Assessment Committee, among others.
In response, the Minister acknowledged that the Federal Government was already aware of all the issues raised by the union and called for patience and perseverance from the unions.
Mamman also urged stakeholders in the education sector to become more involved in generating ideas for the sector’s success, stating, “The Ministry stands for anything that will enhance the quality of service in the Ministry.