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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has affirmed that the Federal Government is taking proactive measures to prevent another strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
She noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration is working diligently to address the underlying issues and implement reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s economy in the long term, despite the immediate challenges these reforms may present.
Speaking during her 17th annual free medical outreach in Isuochi, Abia State, Onyejeocha reassured the public that the concerns raised by ASUU would soon be resolved.
ASUU recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the settlement of four months’ salary arrears from the 2020 strike, the migration of its members from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS), and the payment of outstanding earned allowances, among other issues.
Onyejeocha expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with ASUU would lead to a positive resolution soon.
She said: “For the ASUU strike, it’s being sorted out, and I know that very soon, those issues will be resolved. On the looming nationwide strike, we met with the NLC leadership on Wednesday and we had fruitful deliberations. We were able to tell them the state of the nation. It’s good to let the Organised Labour know what the government is doing.”
The Minister also addressed the broader economic reforms being implemented by President Tinubu, acknowledging that while they may be painful in the short term, they are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability.
She highlighted the president’s firm stance on discontinuing fuel subsidies as a significant measure aimed at averting the collapse of the economy.
“We can’t fold our hands and expect manner to fall from heaven. The President is trying to fix things. The decisions we are making are not easy but they are ultimately for our good as a country.
“Some of the things causing the hunger were what the Government of the day inherited. People who were here before did not take appropriate actions to say stop where they should say stop.
“But now President Tinubu has said that this haemorrhage has to stop. We can’t continue to pay fuel subsidy.
“So, that’s the pain that everybody is going through, and I don’t think we should fold our hands and continue this way. It’s not all about providing subsidies because. If you provide subsidy to the extent that you don’t have a country, what happens?” she questioned.
Onyejeocha explained that removing the fuel subsidy, while difficult, was essential to stabilizing the nation’s finances and rebuilding critical sectors like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which will play a vital role in funding the federal government’s budget once it becomes fully operational again.
“Previous Governments right from ex-President Obasanjo were borrowing to pay subsidies. It’s like you are spending what you don’t have. For how long will that continue? We are blessed in this country, and this is the time for us to right the wrongs so we can enjoy the blessings of God. And that’s what President Tinubu is doing.
“But we have resolved that this is our country. We must take certain decisions, even though they’re hurting, we want NNPC to get back on its feet to be able to contribute to the budget of the federal government. When that is done, all these complaints about hunger will be a thing of the past,” she added.
Regarding security, the Minister acknowledged the impact of insecurity on farming and food production, promising that the government is taking significant steps to ensure farmers can return to their fields safely.
She urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s reform agenda, emphasizing that the country cannot afford to continue with a “business-as-usual” mindset.
The Minister also called for unity across political lines, stressing that now is not the time for partisan politics but a time for collective action to rebuild the nation.
“If we continue to talk about party we will plunge into disaster. We are not blaming anybody. The President has said that he solicited for the job. He had no regrets. He said he had inherited everything and would make sure he did the right things. So, what APC is focusing on now is to get things right,” Onyejeocha concluded.
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