The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the Expanded Negotiation Committee for Tertiary Institutions, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, the committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Dr. Alausa explained that the new committee was created to bring all negotiations under one unified framework, ensuring a more coordinated and inclusive approach across the education sector.
“In the past, different unions held separate talks, which often led to delays and inconsistencies,” the minister said. “This expanded committee will engage all stakeholders together to achieve lasting and comprehensive agreements.”
He noted that members of the committee were carefully selected to represent the full spectrum of Nigeria’s education system so that no group would be left out.
Alausa added that the committee has been given a fully equipped secretariat to support its work and announced that the first meeting would take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7. He also urged all academic and non-academic unions to cooperate fully with the committee and respond promptly during negotiations.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has given the process his full political backing, directing that all discussions be concluded quickly, fairly, and with mutual respect.
“President Tinubu’s message is clear — all our children must remain in school. This is the Renewed Hope Agenda in action,” Alausa said, thanking the unions for their patience and commitment.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, also commended the Ministry of Education for adopting an inclusive and dialogue-driven approach. He stressed that true and lasting peace in the education sector can only be achieved when everyone is involved in the process.
He urged members of the committee to act as fair and impartial mediators, guided by justice and transparency, while working swiftly to ensure that final agreements are effectively implemented.
Dingyadi also reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving labour disputes through dialogue, consultation, and open communication — rather than through industrial action.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed thanked the Federal Government for the trust placed in them and promised that the committee would operate with integrity, fairness, and transparency.
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He assured that their work would not just focus on signing agreements but also on producing realistic and practical recommendations capable of maintaining peace and improving productivity across the education sector.
The Federal Government reiterated its determination to restore stability, trust, and progress in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions through inclusive dialogue and decisive leadership, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — where every student stays in school, every teacher is valued, and every institution thrives in peace.
