The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed and unveiled a new agreement aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s university education system and guaranteeing stability in the sector.
The agreement, which replaces the 2009 pact that led to several industrial actions over unresolved issues, was signed on Wednesday in Abuja.
The signing ceremony took place at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama and was attended by key stakeholders in the education sector.
Among those present were the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
Speaking at the event, Alausa described the agreement as a major turning point in the history of tertiary education in Nigeria.
He said the new pact reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong commitment to quality education and the maintenance of an uninterrupted academic calendar in tertiary institutions.
According to the minister, the agreement symbolises renewed trust and restored confidence between the Federal Government and university lecturers.
He noted that the administration was determined to address long-standing challenges in the university system to ensure stability and improved learning outcomes for students.
Also speaking, the President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, expressed cautious optimism over the agreement, despite the union’s past experiences with government commitments.
Piwuna said the union hoped the Federal Government would fully implement the terms of the agreement without the need for strike threats.
He stated that although ASUU remained mindful of past disappointments, the union believed the current leadership of the education ministry would approach implementation differently.
The ASUU president added that the union remained open to engagement and dialogue, stressing that mutual accessibility and cooperation were key to sustaining industrial harmony in the university system.
