Tinubu directs education minister to end ASUU strike

Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa on Tuesday, Alausa disclosed that the government had already met “literally all” of ASUU’s demands and is now working to secure additional concessions from the President.

“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed,” the minister said.

The minister explained that the administration had reopened negotiations with the union and assured Nigerians that dialogue was ongoing.

He said his visit to the Villa was to brief the President on progress and seek his approval for further government commitments.

“We’ve met literally all their requirements. Now we’ve gone back to the negotiation table. Part of my visit here today is to also explain where we are with the ASUU strike to Mr. President and to extract more concessions from him,” he added.

Alausa described the recent six-day warning strike by ASUU as “not really needed,” noting that the Federal Government was addressing the issues in good faith.

He said the Tinubu administration had consolidated all tertiary education negotiations under one committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed, which now handles discussions with ASUU, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and the Colleges of Education Staff Union.

“What we’ve done now is to expand one single committee. They’re dealing with both academic and non-academic unions. There is no ultimatum. Everything is calm, and they understand this is a listening government,” he stated.

The minister also highlighted the launch of the Federal Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Portal, which provides public access to data on enrolment, budget allocations, intervention funds, and grants. He said the system currently covers all federal tertiary institutions and will soon be extended to state and private schools.

“We are running an evidence-based government. If you don’t have data, it’s like you’re flying blind,” Alausa noted.

Responding to reports of a four-week ultimatum allegedly issued by tertiary unions and the Nigeria Labour Congress on October 20, 2025, Alausa clarified that no such threat existed.