Labour Fragmentation In The Ivory Tower: Why CONUA Rejects The 2009 Deal
By MELVIN KOFFA
A New Union, A Different Mandate
THE Congress of University Academics (CONUA), a breakaway academic union registered during Chris Ngige’s tenure as Labour Minister, has firmly distanced itself from the recently concluded 2009 Federal Government–ASUU renegotiation agreement. Its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, declared in an exclusive interview that the pact is not binding on CONUA members, stressing that the union did not exist when ASUU signed the original agreement on behalf of all academics.
The Backdoor Seat CONUA Never Asked For
Investigations reveal that CONUA was initially excluded from the renegotiation process led by the Yayale Ahmed-chaired committee, headed by former Head of Service Dr. Yayale Ahmed. However, following pushback, the Federal Government quietly opened parallel negotiations with CONUA as an independent union — a process still ongoing and deliberately separated from ASUU’s engagement stream.
A Matter of Representation or Power Play?
Sunmonu contends that the renegotiation must reflect the current multi-union reality in public universities, arguing that agreements forged exclusively with ASUU mirror a narrow labour lens that has historically failed to deliver institutional stability. He frames CONUA’s stance as not merely legal, but strategic — one aimed at redefining academic labour relations, not recycling legacy commitments that have produced recurring strikes, funding disputes, and trust deficits.
What’s at Stake in CONUA’s Dissent
Key issues under negotiation include university autonomy, funding models, remuneration, welfare, and conditions of service. CONUA claims to have submitted its positions, confirmed that the government held internal reviews on its demands, and now awaits formal offers. The union projects January 2026 as its renegotiation deadline, raising the possibility that Nigeria could end up with multiple labour agreements governing academics in the same system, deepening policy complexity.
