The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has faulted the Federal Government over meetings held on the welfare of university lecturers without its participation, warning that such gatherings are invalid and may worsen the crisis in the sector.
CONUA, a breakaway union of university lecturers officially registered in October 2022, was formed after years of disputes within the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Speaking with newsmen, CONUA National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, said it was unacceptable for government to be meeting with only one union on issues affecting the entire university system.
“As of today, we have the Congress of University Academics and two others. We were registered in October 2022 following a due process that began in 2018. When the Federal Government set up the Yayale Ahmed Committee last year, we got a letter on December 20, 2024, informing us about the committee. However, up until now, we have not been invited to attend any meeting,” he said.
Sunmonu argued that excluding CONUA from negotiations was a breach of the Trade Union Act, the 1999 Constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 98, which mandates that all unions in a sector must be part of discussions on labour matters.
“It is a truism that you cannot shave a man’s head behind his back. They cannot discuss issues that have to do with us without us making our inputs,” he added.
He stressed that CONUA would never compromise on the welfare of its members and urged the Federal Government to give urgent attention to the education sector.
At the moment, university lecturers and the government are at loggerheads over welfare and facilities. Last week, ASUU staged nationwide protests, while CONUA has accused the government of favouring ASUU by engaging only its leaders in talks.
