CONUA urges federal government to finalise university academics’ collective bargaining agreement

CONUA’s warning to the federal government

In Abuja on 25 October 2026, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, president of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), addressed journalists after a National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja. He warned that, should the federal government fail to conclude the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), CONUA would pursue appropriate lawful trade‑union actions to protect its members’ welfare.

The warning follows a review by CONUA’s NEC of the latest draft of the proposed FGN‑CONUA agreement, dated September 2026. Sunmonu condemned the government’s failure to treat the union fairly and called on the Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment, and all negotiating authorities, to finish the process as a sign of commitment to democratic industrial relations.

He further insisted on the immediate resolution of pending dues, which encompass five weeks of unpaid wages, back pay for promotions, inconsistent disbursement of newly authorized benefits, and delays related to the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases.

TUC’s parallel demand

Dr Nuhu Toro, Secretary‑General of the TUC, echoed the call for immediate action. Addressing the assembly as a representative of the TUC executive, he stated that the gathering would not accept any avoidable postponement from university officials or the governmental bodies tasked with executing the pact. According to Toro, collective bargaining agreements are not political favours or administrative gestures but essential mechanisms for industrial harmony.

Background

CONUA has long pursued constructive engagement with the federal government. The union has repeatedly highlighted the need for a meaningful framework to represent university academics. In September 2024, a collaborative programme organised by CONUA and the Pension Commission (PENCOM) resolved a pension‑entitlement issue, a development Sunmonu praised.

The current CBA negotiations have stalled, with the government accused of inconsistent implementation and administrative uncertainty. CONUA’s exclusion from programmes linked to the Teachers’ Education and Training Fund (TETFund) and the Needs Assessment for Higher Education (NEEDS) has also been criticised as unfair.

Why it matters

The delay in finalising the CBA affects thousands of university academics who face unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and irregular entitlements. The union argues that these financial uncertainties undermine the quality of higher education and hinder Nigeria’s ability to build a competitive knowledge economy. Sunmonu stressed the importance of reliable electricity, internet connectivity, functional laboratories and digital transformation for universities.

The labor group also criticized the practice of leasing faculty members or gear to secure accreditation, maintaining that such status should demonstrate true institutional strength instead of superficial compliance.

What happens next

The sources do not specify a timetable for the agreement’s finalisation or any upcoming negotiations. CONUA has indicated that it will pursue lawful trade‑union action if the government does not act, but no further steps or dates have been announced.