The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has warned the federal government against sidelining it in welfare deliberations.
According to CONUA on university lecturers’ welfare, any meeting held without its input is unacceptable and counterproductive.
National President Dr. Niyi Sunmonu said CONUA remains a duly registered academic staff union with equal recognition.
He explained that excluding the union from policy discussions will only deepen disputes instead of addressing sector-wide challenges.
Sunmonu recalled that CONUA received a government notification letter about the Yayale Ahmed Committee in December 2024.
However, despite this communication, the union has never been invited to attend subsequent committee meetings or consultations.
He stressed, “You cannot shave a man’s head behind his back when he is unavailable.”
Therefore, he argued that all registered unions must contribute to discussions directly affecting their members’ welfare and rights.
Citing International Labour Organisation Convention 98, Sunmonu noted that multiple unions in one sector deserve equal participation.
Additionally, he argued that sidelining unions contravenes the Trade Union Act and violates provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
CONUA reiterated its commitment to prioritising members’ welfare while urging government to give education the attention it deserves.
Furthermore, the union demanded transparent engagement processes to ensure no group is unfairly excluded from decision-making platforms.
Currently, university lecturers remain in conflict with the federal government over welfare demands and improved teaching facilities.
While ASUU members staged protests nationwide last week, CONUA accused government of favouring ASUU in ongoing engagements.
Apart from ASUU and CONUA on university lecturers’ welfare, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) also exists.
Thus, CONUA insists that leaving any recognised union out of dialogue undermines fairness and weakens Nigeria’s education sector.
