ASUU Salutes Tinubu For Ending Era Of Grandstanding In University Negotiations

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has noted a stark contrast in the current federal government’s approach to negotiations, describing it as a departure from the “Okija Shrine” theatrics of past administrations.

The Okija Shrine, located in Anambra State’s Ihiala local government area, was infamous for its controversial practices.

Recall that former Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, handled the renegotiation between ASUU and the government during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, leading to controversies and the emergence of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), a breakaway union formed in 2018 due to disagreements over ASUU’s negotiation tactics, particularly its reliance on strikes.

ASUU in a post on Facebook on Friday, commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its sober and businesslike approach to the renegotiation of the ASUU-Federal Government agreement.

“Since the commencement of the renegotiation in October 2024, ASUU noted that the process has unfolded without the usual cacophony of media posturing and grandstanding that characterised engagements with previous administrations.

“Notably absent from the airwaves has been the kind of theatrical grandstanding and unrestrained verbosity that previously characterized such engagements,” the union stated.

ASUU attributed the positive development to the Tinubu administration’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, marking a welcome departure from an era when public discourse often descended into ritualistic rhetoric reminiscent of the Okija shrine theatrics.

ASUU noted that the government’s low-key approach to the negotiations has been encouraging, contrasting it with past experiences where public discourse often featured aggressive rhetoric and media showmanship.

ASUU credited the Tinubu government for eschewing such tactics, opting instead for a more measured and businesslike engagement with the union.

“For once, the process has unfolded without the usual cacophony of media posturing—an encouraging departure from an era when public discourse often descended into ritualistic rhetoric reminiscent of the Okija shrine theatrics,” it said.

The Federal Government and ASUU on Wednesday signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality of the university education system and ensuring stability.

The new agreement replaces the 2009 pact that triggered several industrial actions over unresolved issues.