The Federal Government says it has concluded renegotiation of agreements with education sector unions and will, within days, proceed to formal signing aimed at strengthening industrial harmony in the colleges of education subsector nationwide.
Persecondnews correspondent who covered the event reports that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa revealed this at the SSUCOEN 3rd Pentennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Represented by the Director Colleges, Dr. Uchenna Cecilia Uba, Alausa said the development reflects government commitment to sustained engagement, institutional stability and reform-driven growth across Nigeria’s education system.
“The renegotiation process has been concluded and the agreement is ready for formal signing in the coming days.
He assured that government remains committed to structured dialogue with unions to ensure lasting industrial peace and stability across all tiers of the education system in Nigeria.
“This administration remains committed to sustaining dialogue and ensuring lasting industrial peace across the education system.”
The Minister further noted that teacher education remains central to national development strategy and will continue to receive priority attention in policy and funding frameworks across institutions.
“The Federal Ministry of Education will continue to prioritise teacher education as the foundation of national development,” he stressed.
Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, former Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, who presided over the event, called for stronger inter union collaboration, stressing that no union can achieve sustainable progress without collective engagement and shared responsibility within the education sector.
He emphasized that the conference theme reflects the complexity of current challenges and the need for unity and coordinated action among stakeholders to strengthen institutional performance and welfare outcomes.
“The theme of this conference is timely as it reminds us that the challenges facing education require unity, collaboration and sustained engagement among stakeholders,” he said.
He added that sustainable progress depends on cooperation between unions and employers, especially in addressing welfare, governance and institutional development challenges across the sector.
“No union can achieve sustainable progress without working with others and engaging constructively with stakeholders to promote industrial harmony and institutional growth,” he maintained.
He further noted that solidarity remains the strongest tool for workers in achieving reforms, across education institutions.
“Workers’ greatest successes have always come through solidarity, collective engagement and shared commitment to improving welfare and strengthening institutions across the education system,” he stressed.
The SSUCOEN President, Comrade Ali Danladi Msheliza, commended members for their resilience, describing the union’s journey as one built on unity, negotiation and sustained engagement with government and stakeholders.
He said the union’s achievements during his tenure were made possible through collective struggle and strategic collaboration, which strengthened reforms in welfare, governance participation and institutional development across colleges of education.
He added that unity remained the foundation of the union’s progress, enabling it to secure reforms and maintain industrial harmony despite challenges within the system over the years.
“Our strength has been rooted in unity and collaboration, which has enabled us to achieve reforms, improve welfare outcomes and sustain industrial harmony across the education sector,” he said.
He urged delegates and stakeholders to remain united and build on existing gains to ensure stronger institutions and a more effective education system for future generations.
Persecondnews reports that the conference continues in Abuja with delegates from all 36 states and the FCT, alongside the ASUU President, COEASU leadership, the NLC President, vice chancellors, bursars, heads of institutions, representatives of sister unions, Federal Government delegates, and participants drawn from all the geopolitical zones of the country.
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