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 renegotiate the 2009 Agreement with various unions.
In a protest letter dated October 14, 2024, and signed by its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, the union addressed its concerns directly to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. Copies of the letter 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 articulates CONUA’s frustration with the ongoing exclusion from discussions that directly impact its members.
The letter stated: “The national leadership of the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, is in receipt of an invitation letter to a sister union titled ‘Inauguration of Re-Negotiation Committee’ dated 10th October 2024 and written by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo. CONUA, for the umpteenth time, was taken aback that issues concerning its members, previously represented by the sole academic union, would be discussed without extending an invitation to CONUA.”
CONUA expressed concern that the Federal Ministry of Education is deliberately sidelining a legally recognized academic union, emphasizing that any agreements reached without their involvement would directly affect its members. They described this exclusion as unjust and potentially harmful to the overall university system.
Sunmonu recalled that CONUA had previously sent several letters to the Minister of Education and other government agencies protesting their exclusion from critical activities. He pointed out that in May 2024, CONUA had protested its exclusion from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) activities, a situation that has persisted despite their repeated efforts to engage with TETFund.
“We see this development as a deliberate attempt to sideline and undermine us. However, they should note that we are duly registered as an academic union in the university system and have members across universities nationwide. The Federal Government should do the needful to avoid another round of industrial disharmony,” Sunmonu stressed.
On Tuesday, the FG announced the inauguration of a committee led by former Head of Service, Yayale Ahmed, to reconsider the 2009 Agreement. The invited unions included 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), but CONUA was notably excluded.
CONUA was officially registered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 amid an eight-month strike by ASUU. The 2009 Agreement between university staff unions and the government has been contentious, particularly concerning the annual release of N200 billion for university infrastructure upgrades and the periodic renegotiation of welfare issues. To date, only one payment of N200 billion has been made, and the welfare reviews, meant to occur every four years, have yet to be implemented.