Education Minister Meets With CONUA, Assures Of Commitment To Improve Service Delivery

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

The meeting, which was convened on Thursday, Aug. 30, by the minister, centred on the various issues affecting the university education in the country, especially welfare of academic staff.

CONUA’S National President, Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu, led the union executives to the meeting.

The unionist lauded the minister for inviting his members to the all important meeting, while identifying areas of immediate government attention.

He cited issues such as payment of three and a half months withheld salaries of members arising from the 2022 strike, in which CONUA never participated in.

He also mentioned payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), promotion arrears, timely payment of pensions, negotiation through collective bargaining, as well as payment of third party deductions (of the withheld salaries paid through presidential prerogative),.

Speaking further Dr Sunmonu also highlighted issues such as the NEEDS Assessment Committee among others.

In his response, Prof. Mamman commended the union members for the visit, while assuring them of putting all the issues raised in the front burner.

“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.

The minister finally said: “the ministry stands for anything that will enhance the quality of service in the ministry”.