Nigeria’s Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality of tertiary education and preventing repeated industrial actions.
The pact, unveiled on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja, replaces a 2009 agreement that repeatedly broke down, triggering prolonged strikes.
The ceremony was attended by Education Minister Dr Maruf Alausa, Minister of State for Education Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, and other officials.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSpeaking at the event, ASUU President Prof Chris Piwuna acknowledged the union’s difficult history with the government but expressed cautious optimism.
“We are optimistic that the government will implement this agreement in full, but pessimism remains because of our past experiences,” he said.
“We believe Dr Tunji Alausa will be different, and our union will not need to issue strike threats before any part of this agreement is implemented.”
Dr Alausa described the deal as a turning point for Nigeria’s universities, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a renewed commitment to quality education and uninterrupted academic calendars.
“This occasion represents more than the presentation of a document; it symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in our universities,” he said.
Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi urged both parties to implement the agreement with sincerity and transparency.
“Faithful and timely execution will build trust between the government and university staff, foster lasting industrial peace, and restore confidence among students, parents, and the wider public,” he said.
Senator Muntari Dandutse, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, called the agreement a “significant milestone” for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s universities.
“We are not just signing a document; we are securing a promising future for Nigeria—a commitment to our children, our academia, and our national destiny,” he said.
Key components of the deal include a 40% increase in the pay of university academic staff, combining the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) with a consolidated academic tools allowance.
For the first time, the government approved a “professorial cadre allowance” for full-time professors and readers, recognising their administrative, research, and scholarly responsibilities.
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ASUU, Nigeria’s main lecturers’ union, has a long history of industrial action dating back to its formation in 1978.
Strikes are usually triggered by unpaid salaries, unimplemented agreements, underfunded universities, and threats to academic standards.
Notable actions include the nearly five-month strike in 2009 and several others over the past two decades.
While the union argues strikes are necessary to protect education quality and lecturers’ rights, critics say repeated disruptions harm students, delay graduations, and affect national development.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
