The federal government has pledged to honour agreements reached with unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, saying the era of unfulfilled promises and prolonged industrial disputes must give way to trust, accountability and sustained dialogue.
Tunji Alausa, minister of education, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the unveiling of the 2026 agreements between the government and staff unions in tertiary institutions.
Alausa said the government was committed to implementing the agreements, adding that public confidence would depend on its willingness to fulfil the obligations it had undertaken.
“Let me state clearly, on behalf of the federal government, that we will fulfil our part of this historic agreement. We recognise that public confidence will depend on the obligations we honour after this ceremony,” he said.
The minister said previous agreements between the government and staff unions had often been followed by implementation delays, incomplete execution and unfulfilled commitments, leading to declining trust, recurring disputes and prolonged strikes.
He said the disruptions had increased financial pressure on families, affected teaching and research, and deprived students of valuable learning time.
“Most importantly, students lost precious months and years. Families faced additional costs and uncertainty, while teaching and research suffered. A four-year programme too often extended beyond four years,” Alausa said.
He attributed the latest agreements to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reforming the education sector and improving staff welfare, adding that the administration was determined to rebuild trust between the government and unions.
Alausa said the agreements also reflected Tinubu’s campaign promise that students should complete four-year degree programmes within the stipulated period.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaigned, he promised that a four-year course would be completed in four years. Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge. A promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” he said.
The minister said the agreements cover the consolidated academic tools allowance (CARTA) for academic staff unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, as well as the consolidated non-teaching tools allowance (CONTA) for non-teaching staff unions across the institutions.
He recalled that the CARTA agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was unveiled in December, adding that the latest ceremony extended the arrangements to other academic and non-academic unions in the tertiary education sector.
According to Alausa, both allowances took effect in January 2026 and have been paid to tertiary institutions.
“Today, I can report to you that both CARTA and CONTA have been paid to all tertiary institutions,” he said.
Earlier, the minister of state for education commended Alausa for his role in resolving disputes in the tertiary education sector, describing the agreements as a milestone in improving staff welfare and strengthening industrial relations.
He said the agreements went beyond the formal presentation of negotiated terms, offering an opportunity to rebuild trust, reaffirm commitments and create an enabling environment for quality tertiary education.
