Nigeria's university system await the official signing and unveiling ceremony between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking the end of a 16-year renegotiation crisis over the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
As of the time of this report, guests are gathered and awaiting the arrival of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa (also referred to as Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa), the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad (or Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad), and the ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.
The event, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Conference Hall of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Maitama, Abuja, represents a major milestone in efforts to restore industrial harmony, enhance teaching and learning conditions, and promote sustainable development in Nigeria's higher education sector.
Last month, The Guardian reported that the prolonged industrial crisis in the university system was nearing resolution after ASUU accepted the Federal Government's proposed 40% pay increase for academic staff.
The union formally announced on December 23, 2025, that a fresh agreement had been reached, effectively concluding the long-stalled renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
The deal, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, and is subject to review every three years, includes key benefits such as improved pension schemes (with professors retiring at age 70 and receiving pensions equivalent to their full annual salaries), enhanced university funding (including dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development), greater university autonomy, stronger academic freedom, and provisions for elected academic leadership.
Last week, a circular signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education, confirmed that the agreement would be formally sealed today, with invitations extended to vice-chancellors and registrars of federal universities.
This development is seen as a significant step under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to end recurring disruptions in the university system and boost morale among academic staff.
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