FG, ASUU Sign Landmark Agreement To Strengthen Universities
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a new agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s university system and promoting academic stability. The pact, which replaces the 2009 agreement that had repeatedly triggered strikes over unresolved issues, was signed and unveiled on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The event was attended by top officials, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad. ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, expressed cautious optimism about the deal, noting the union’s long history of industrial disputes with the government. He said the union hopes the new agreement will be implemented fully without the need for strike threats. “We are optimistic that the government will implement this agreement in totality, but pessimism still exists because of our history,” Piwuna said. “It is our belief that Dr. Tunji Alausa will be different, and that our union will not need to issue a strike threat before any part of this agreement is implemented. ASUU is open and accessible, and we expect the same from the government.” Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the agreement as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing quality education and ensuring that academic calendars remain uninterrupted across universities. “This occasion represents far more than the presentation of a document; it symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” Alausa said. “It is a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to quality education and a stable academic calendar for all students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.” The new agreement sets the stage for improved collaboration between the government and ASUU, aiming to reduce strikes and enhance the overall quality of higher education in Nigeria.