CONUA Protests Exclusion from FG’s 2009 Agreement Re-negotiation Meetings

CONUA Protests Exclusion from FG’s 2009 Agreement Re-negotiation Meetings

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has voiced its dissatisfaction over being excluded from the list of university staff unions invited by the Federal Government (FG) to re-negotiate the 2009 Agreement with the unions.

In a protest letter dated October 14, 2024, signed by its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, the union conveyed its concerns to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

The letter warned that this exclusion could result in industrial disharmony within the university system. Copies were also sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Titled “Re: Inauguration of Re-Negotiation Committee, Non-Invitation of Congress of University Academics, CONUA,” the letter expressed CONUA’s frustration over its continuous exclusion from discussions affecting its members.

It stated: “The national leadership of CONUA received an invitation letter addressed to a sister union concerning the ‘Inauguration of Re-Negotiation Committee’ dated October 10, 2024, from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo. Once again, CONUA is taken aback that matters concerning its members, previously represented by the sole academic union, would be discussed without extending an invitation to us.”

The union raised concerns that the Federal Ministry of Education is intentionally sidelining a legally recognized academic union, stressing that any agreements made without CONUA’s involvement would adversely affect its members.

Sunmonu recalled that CONUA had previously sent several letters to the Minister of Education and other government agencies regarding their exclusion from critical activities. He highlighted that in May 2024, CONUA protested its absence from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) activities, an issue that has persisted despite ongoing attempts to engage with TETFund.

“We perceive this development as a deliberate effort to marginalize and undermine us. However, it is important to note that we are a duly registered academic union with members across universities nationwide. The Federal Government should take necessary actions to prevent another round of industrial unrest,” Sunmonu emphasized.

On Tuesday, the FG announced the formation of a committee, led by former Head of Service Yayale Ahmed, to revisit the 2009 Agreement. While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU) were invited to participate, CONUA was not included.

CONUA was officially registered by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2022 during an eight-month ASUU strike. The 2009 Agreement between university staff unions and the government has been contentious, particularly regarding the release of N200 billion annually for university infrastructure upgrades and the periodic renegotiation of welfare issues. So far, only one payment of N200 billion has been made, and the welfare reviews, intended to occur every four years, remain unimplemented.