There are moments in a nation’s life when an act of foresight signals a turning point. For Nigeria’s education sector, that moment came again when the Federal Government inaugurated the expanded Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Negotiation Committee to fast-track agreements with academic and non-academic unions across our tertiary institutions. It might sound like another long bureaucratic headline, but for those of us who live and breathe education and who have also lived through the history of strikes, suspended semesters, and broken promises, it is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. And I dare say—this fresh air smells unmistakably of Dr Tunji Alausa’s handiwork.

As an educator, I have seen firsthand the devastation that strike actions bring not just to students, but to parents, teachers, and the wider academic ecosystem. I know what it means to have carefully planned lectures interrupted, to watch academic calendars collapse, and to see the bright minds of our students face unnecessary delays. I have been invested in what Alausa has been doing because I understand that the role of the Ministry of Education shapes the lives of millions of learners. And I have closely watched his programmes, statements, and policies, so I can say without hesitation: he is doing a good job.

If you’ve ever been a Nigerian student—or parent—you already know the rhythm of academic disruption. The semester starts; lectures begin; then whispers of “ASUU is meeting” float around like a dark cloud. Before you can say “continuous assessment,” the gates are locked, the hostels empty, and time stands still. What follows is a tug of war between government negotiators and union leaders that often stretches into months. I still remember the 2020 and 2022 strikes—when parents became part-time counselors and students turned philosophers of frustration.

But since Alausa took charge as Minister of Education, we’ve had peace—beautiful, blessed, uninterrupted academic peace. No strikes. No mass protests. No shutdowns. That alone is an achievement worth a national ovation.

The inauguration of the expanded negotiation committee is a masterstroke of strategy. Alausa, a man clearly allergic to stagnation, understands that the endless cycle of strikes and half-hearted negotiations has done untold damage to our tertiary education system. He’s seen the waste of human potential and the erosion of trust between government and academia. And rather than resort to the usual “committee after crisis” method, he’s chosen a proactive path—fast-tracking resolution before disputes escalate.

At the inauguration, Alausa explained that the new committee would harmonise all negotiation processes under one coordinated framework. That might sound like typical policy-speak, but it’s revolutionary when you think of it. In the past, one committee would be negotiating with ASUU, another with NASU, and yet another with SSANU—each going round in circles, often contradicting one another. It was like watching three drummers playing different beats to the same song. Chaos was inevitable.

Now, under the expanded negotiation structure, there’s coherence, inclusiveness, and institutional memory—three words that have long been missing in the management of tertiary education crises. As the Minister said, “The membership of the committee has been carefully chosen to represent the full spectrum of the education sector, ensuring that no group is left behind.” That’s a statement not just of policy but of empathy.

And empathy, as the American educator Parker Palmer once wrote, “is the most potent weapon in the teacher’s arsenal.” It’s also what the education sector has long needed from government—understanding, not arrogance; dialogue, not decrees.

Alausa’s style of leadership seems rooted in this very ethos. He is not content with firefighting after unions down tools; he wants to fix the hydrants before the fire starts. This is evident in how he has carried along both the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the unions themselves in one coordinated process. His message has been consistent: “President Tinubu’s mandate is that all our children must be in school. This is Renewed Hope in action.”

Now, let’s pause to appreciate that phrase—Renewed Hope in action. Because in a country where hope sometimes feels like a theoretical concept, the kind that politicians wave around during campaigns, it’s refreshing to see it translated into concrete policy.

Of course, I’m old enough to remember how these negotiations used to collapse like a poorly constructed bridge. You’d hear words like “irreconcilable differences” or “non-implementation of past agreements.” The unions would accuse the government of insincerity, the government would accuse the unions of greed, and the students—poor souls—would suffer the fallout. Parents would complain about wasted school fees and lost years. And somewhere in Abuja, a minister would promise to “look into the matter.”

Today, the story is changing. It shows that dialogue is ongoing, not postponed. It shows that issues are being addressed, not ignored. African scholar Ali Mazrui once said, “The greatest tragedy of postcolonial Africa is not poverty of resources but poverty of leadership imagination.” Alausa seems determined to reverse that tragedy. His leadership is proof that imagination, when guided by integrity and diligence, can restore faith in public service.

The expanded negotiation committee, chaired by the venerable Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, has also been empowered with a functional secretariat—a small detail that makes a huge difference. Anyone who’s ever worked in government knows that a committee without logistics is like a car without fuel. By ensuring that the committee is well-equipped, Alausa is saying, in effect, “We mean business.”

Interestingly, this sense of purpose has not gone unnoticed. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, commended Alausa’s inclusive approach, reminding everyone that “true and lasting peace can only be achieved when all stakeholders are involved.” That’s not mere rhetoric; it’s wisdom distilled from years of conflict mediation.

In truth, the education sector has had enough of bitterness. We’ve seen what repeated strikes do—not only to academic calendars but to the spirit of learning itself. Every lost semester is a lost opportunity to nurture the next generation of thinkers, scientists, and leaders. Every delayed graduation is a dent in national productivity.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” But how can education change the world if our universities are perpetually shut? Alausa seems to understand this better than most, which is why he’s moving with such urgency.

So, as the newly inaugurated negotiation committee begins its work, I can only wish them success. They carry not just files and mandates, but the hopes of millions of Nigerian students and parents. And with Dr. Tunji Alausa steering the wheel, one can confidently say: this time, we just might get it right.
Popoola is an educator and journalist. He can be reached via [email protected]