The National President, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr ’Niyi Sunmonu, has urged the Federal Government to conclude its proposed agreement with the union without further delay, insisting that its recognition must translate into meaningful collective bargaining and improved welfare for members.

Sunmonu stated this while speaking with reporters after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Abuja, warning that CONUA could resort to lawful trade union action if the government failed to address its concerns.

He said the outstanding issues included delays in finalising the proposed Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN)-CONUA Agreement and settling entitlements owed to university academics.

The CONUA President said its NEC had reviewed the latest draft of the proposed agreement, dated September 2026, and expressed concern over what it described as the government’s failure to treat the union fairly.

The union called on the Federal Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment, alongside other relevant negotiating authorities, to conclude the process, warning that prolonged delays could undermine industrial harmony in Nigerian universities and inter-university centres.

“The recognition of a trade union must translate into meaningful collective bargaining and a concluded agreement that provides an effective framework for representing its members,” Sunmonu said.

The union maintained that dialogue with the government must produce tangible results rather than leave issues affecting its members unresolved.

It also demanded the prompt settlement of outstanding entitlements, including three and a half months of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, irregular payments of recently approved entitlements and arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards.

CONUA urged government authorities and university managements to ensure transparent records, timely payments and clear communication with affected academics.

“The welfare and legitimate entitlements of academics are obligations to be honoured, not favours to be granted,” the President said.

Beyond the proposed agreement and members’ welfare, the union called for fair representation in university education programmes and consultative structures, particularly those associated with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the NEEDS Assessment.

He argued that excluding academics from key aspects of the university system undermined fairness and institutional accountability, adding that it would pursue the matter through administrative and, where necessary, lawful channels.

The union further called for sustainable public investment in university education, reliable electricity, internet connectivity, functional laboratories, modern equipment and digital infrastructure to improve teaching, learning and research.

The National President also expressed concern over reported practices involving the temporary hiring or renting of academic staff and equipment for accreditation exercises, insisting that accreditation must reflect universities’ genuine capacity to deliver their programmes.

CONUA urged university managements and regulatory authorities to address institutional deficiencies transparently and prioritise sustainable academic capacity over superficial compliance.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to principled academic unionism, saying industrial harmony depended on fairness, mutual respect, credible agreements and the fulfilment of legitimate obligations by the government, university managements and recognised unions.

On his part, the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Nuhu Toro, expressed solidarity with CONUA, insisting that the union must not be left to fight its battles alone.

He said the struggle to defend academics and universities must be seen as part of the wider struggle of the Nigerian working class, adding that collective bargaining agreements were not political favours or administrative conveniences but serious commitments that must be respected and implemented in accordance with the laws of the land.

Toro warned that a nation that underfunded its universities, neglected its academics and undermined collective bargaining was weakening the very foundation of its development.

He said the TUC would not tolerate unnecessary delays by university authorities and relevant government agencies in concluding and signing collective agreements with CONUA, demanding immediate action to finalise the process without further excuses or procrastination.

He reaffirmed that the TUC, under the leadership of its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and its affiliates, stood firmly with CONUA in defending the rights and interests of its members.

“Any attack on CONUA is an attack on the entire Nigerian labour movement. We shall deploy all legitimate means to protect workers’ rights. An injury to CONUA is an injury to all TUC affiliates and Nigerian workers,” he said.