By Abu Adamu
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed and unveiled a new agreement aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s university education system and fostering lasting industrial harmony.
The agreement, which replaces the contentious 2009 pact that triggered recurrent strikes, was signed yesterday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The event was attended by key education stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; and senior ASUU officials.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union was cautiously optimistic that the Federal Government would fully implement the new agreement without the delays that have historically led to industrial action.
“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.”
Describing the pact as a significant milestone, Dr. Alausa said it marked a clear departure from past practices and reflected a renewed commitment to stability in the tertiary education sector.
“This occasion symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” the minister said, adding that the agreement underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to quality education and uninterrupted academic calendars in public universities.
As part of the new deal, the Federal Government also approved enhanced annual allowances for lecturers, introducing a professorial cadre allowance. Under the arrangement, full-time professors will receive N1.8 million annually, while full-time readers will earn N870,000.
Dr. Alausa explained that the new allowance, which applies to academics in the professorial and readership ranks, is part of broader efforts to improve lecturers’ welfare following sustained engagements with ASUU.
Stakeholders at the signing expressed hope that the agreement would finally end the cycle of disputes and strikes that have disrupted academic activities in Nigerian universities for more than a decade.