ASUU Strike: Minister Assures Nigerians of Stability
The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has reassured that the Federal Government will make certain that Nigerian children continue their education, addressing fears regarding possible strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“We will ensure our children remain in school,” Alausa stated during an interview with reporters at the Gender Inclusion Summit, which was organized by the Policy Innovation Centre on Wednesday in Abuja.
Alausa’s reassurance follows ongoing discussions between the government and ASUU regarding the failure to implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement. This agreement encompasses sustainable funding for Nigerian universities, the revitalization of the university system, payment of unresolved 25–35 percent salary arrears, delayed promotions for over four years, unremitted third-party deductions, and the mistreatment of colleagues in certain institutions.
The last signed agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU dates back to 2009.
However, at the event, the minister stressed that the government is addressing issues with ASUU and other trade unions with utmost respect, adding that there is no necessity for private discussions to be made public.
“I assure you, we are in dialogue. I told you we will engage with ASUU and other trade unions with the utmost respect.
“We will keep communicating with them. I don’t wish to appear on television to disclose private discussions, but I can guarantee that ASUU will not strike; we will keep our children in school.
This government is responsible, and we will ensure that our children remain in school.
The minister also pointed out the government’s initiatives to enhance the education sector, such as transitioning the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council exams to computer-based formats.
According to Alausa, this initiative aims to minimize examination malpractices and enhance the quality of education.
“We believe that implementing computer-based testing is a crucial initial step to combat examination fraud in our nation.”
“We need to embrace technology and shift our exams, WAEC and NECO, to computer-based formats. There was significant resistance. However, we believe this is one of the essential measures to reduce examination malpractices in our country.
“And let me emphasize the repercussions of examination fraud; it discourages diligent students. We have far more hardworking students than the few who resort to cheating. That’s why we have proactively worked to establish computer-based testing for WAEC and NECO.
Alausa expressed satisfaction that the WAEC exam will be administered through computer-based testing in November, while the essay segments will still be conducted on paper. By the following year, both objective and essay sections will be conducted using computer-based methods.
“And I am pleased that by November of this year, the WAEC exam scheduled for that month will feature computer-based testing for the objective sections, while the essay components will remain paper-based. The same will apply for NECO. By next year, both the objective questions and the essay portions of the exams will transition to a computer-based format. This change will encourage students to study more diligently, enhance their cognitive skills, and improve the overall quality of their learning and exam preparation, thus enabling them to succeed in life and make informed decisions.”
The minister further discussed the efforts to include underserved communities and children with disabilities within the computer-based testing framework.
“We have established concrete plans to integrate underserved communities and children with disabilities,” he mentioned, noting that the government will provide transportation for students from areas lacking the necessary infrastructure for computer-based exams to suitable locations.
In her address, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized the significance of empowering women and enhancing inclusion, pointing out that women now occupy over 40 percent of leadership roles in Nigeria’s major commercial banks.
She made this statement during the High-Level Ministerial Panel of the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025.
According to the minister, women are breaking barriers across various fields, including the private sector.
“Currently, female executives hold about 22 percent of leadership roles, surpassing the global average of 20 percent, and women lead more than 40 percent of Nigeria’s major commercial banks,” she stated.
“Research from the World Bank indicates that narrowing the gender gap in workforce participation could contribute as much as $229 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by the year 2030,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Families First Initiative, which aims to empower women, safeguard children, and assist vulnerable families.
The minister provided examples of advancements made in several states, such as Adamawa State, where women are now legally permitted to own and inherit land and property.
“In Adamawa State, women can now legally own and inherit land and property, take part in decision-making during traditional council meetings, and access a dedicated local court in Yola for cases involving early child marriage.”
“Significantly, women have attained 100 percent of vice-chairperson positions across all 21 Local Government Councils in the state, far exceeding the 35 percent affirmative action target.”
“In Niger State, all positions for vice-chairpersons at the local government level are now designated for women. Meanwhile, in Rivers State, a 19-year-old girl has recently won a councillorship position, representing the emergence of a new wave of female leadership,” she stated.
The summit, titled “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,” brought together various stakeholders to discuss and promote systemic change.
Udeme Ufot, the Chairman of the Policy Innovation Centre, highlighted in his opening remarks the significance of inclusion and the necessity for collaborative efforts.
“Inclusion starts with active listening; we need to hear from those who are frequently left out of decision-making.”
“The perspectives of rural women, who are vital to our agricultural sector yet often go unnoticed.”
“The input of young individuals, whose innovation and determination benefit national development, but who encounter obstacles such as unemployment and lack of representation.”
Ufot also pointed out the need for innovative and technological solutions to promote inclusion, the creation of data-driven social protection systems that are responsive, and the implementation of financing strategies that dismantle systemic barriers faced by women entrepreneurs and small enterprises.
In a similar vein, Niyi Yusuf, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, stressed the importance of inclusion and the necessity for joint efforts.
“Today’s meeting represents an important step in our shared journey towards an inclusive Nigeria,” stated Niyi. “The theme for this year, ‘New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,’ is intentional and timely. It urges us to recognize the shortcomings of previous methods and to welcome the creativity, innovation, and diverse viewpoints essential for progress.”
Niyi also emphasized the value of heeding new voices and embracing fresh strategies to enhance inclusion.
“Inclusion demands that we listen to those who have been muted or overlooked for too long,” he remarked. “The opinions of rural women, grassroots business owners, young creators, displaced individuals, and marginalized groups must not only be acknowledged but should also influence the decisions impacting their lives,” he concluded.
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