… Welfare issues top agenda

By Adesina Wahab

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, on Thursday met with the leadership of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) in Abuja.

The meeting, which was called by the minister, centred on the various issues affecting the university education in the country, especially the welfare of the academic staff.

The National President of CONUA, Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu, who led the union executives to the meeting, appreciated the minister for inviting the union to such an important meeting.

He went on to enumerate the issues that need government’s attention.

These include: payment of three and a half months withheld salary arising from the 2022 strike in which CONUA never participated, payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA),  payment of promotion arrears, timely payment of pensions, negotiation through collective bargaining, payment of third party deductions (of the withheld salaries paid through presidential prerogative), NEEDS Assessment Committee among others.

Responding, the Minister welcomed the union members, while admitting that all the issues raised by the union were in the front burner with the government.

“Soon, the efforts will pay off but we need patience and perseverance from the unions,” he said.

He went further to say that all stakeholders in the education sector needed to be engaged in generating ideas for the success of the sector. Finally, the Minister said that “the ministry stands  for anything that will enhance the quality of service in the ministry”.