No union is subordinate to another in Nigerian varsity system — Sunmonu

2026-03-05 - 01:46

The Congress of University Academics, CONUA, is one of the academic staff unions registered to operate in the Nigerian university system. In this interview by Adesina Wahab, the National President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, speaks on some recent developments in the sector and the effort by the Federal Government to make peace with all the unions. Excerpts: What is your take on the recent effort by the Federal Government at making peace with the unions? Thank you for this opportunity. The issues surrounding our university system cannot be understood merely as industrial relations matters; they are fundamentally questions about the kind of academic culture and national future we want to build. Peace in the university system is always welcome. However, true peace is not simply the absence of strikes or the signing of agreements; it is the presence of justice, mutual respect, and institutional sincerity. Where dialogue is sincere and inclusive, peace becomes sustainable. But where engagement is selective or reactive, tensions only go into temporary suspension. The real challenge before us is not just to make peace today, but to build a system where peace becomes the natural state of affairs. Peace must be rooted in fairness and predictability, because institutions cannot grow where uncertainty dominates. Has the agreement signed by the FG and ASUU made other unions subservient? No union should be regarded as subordinate to another. Trade unionism recognises the legitimacy of different voices representing the same or different professions. Academic unions exist because academics are not identical in perspectives or approaches, and diversity of views is natural in an intellectual environment. Pluralism should not be seen as division; it is a reflection of intellectual life itself. Universities are places where ideas compete peacefully. It would be paradoxical if the same universities were governed by the idea that only one voice must be heard. Healthy systems allow cooperation without domination. Can the agreement be sustained? Agreements fail when they are treated as temporary political instruments instead of moral and institutional commitments. Sustainability requires more than signatures; it requires institutional memory and discipline. There must be continuity beyond office holders and beyond moments of crisis. Agreements must be implemented because they are right, not merely because pressure exists.Where discipline exists on all sides, government and unions alike, agreements can be sustained. Some say agitation by university workers is mainly about their welfare, is that true? Welfare is important because universities are built on people. A neglected academic cannot produce excellent scholarship. But unions must go beyond welfare. Academic unions must concern themselves with the intellectual and moral health of the university system. Universities decline not only because of poor funding but also because of weakened academic culture, erosion of discipline, declining standards, and insufficient commitment to scholarship. Academic unions should not only defend the interests of their members; they should help shape the character of the academic profession itself. How can our universities be globally competitive ? Global competitiveness is not something that can be declared; it must be built patiently. Universities become globally competitive when they develop stable traditions of scholarship, disciplined academic culture, strong research environments, and responsible governance. Frequent disruptions weaken institutions because scholarship requires continuity. Funding is necessary, but funding alone is not enough. Nations that have strong universities have cultivated a culture that respects knowledge, discipline, and intellectual excellence. Without those foundations, even large investments produce limited results What is your closing reflection? In the end, the question before us is deeper than agreements and negotiations. It is whether Nigerian academics are prepared to build institutions that will outlive individuals and generations. No institution survives for long if justice and fairness are sacrificed in the name of preservation. But institutions that place justice at their foundation develop resilience. Our task, therefore, is not merely to negotiate better conditions but to help shape a university system that contributes meaningfully to national development and stands on principles that can endure. If we succeed in doing that, future generations will inherit a stronger academic culture than the one we met. Vanguard News