The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will on Wednesday, January 14, formalise a fresh agreement aimed at improving the quality of university education and promoting stability in the sector.
The Ministry of Education, in a statement released on Sunday, said the event will hold at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja.
The agreement signing will be overseen by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
The move follows a recent 14 day ultimatum issued by ASUU.
However, the planned strike was suspended before it began after overnight negotiations between the union and the Federal Government.
In an update, the ministry said the new agreement reflects the government’s resolve to engage key stakeholders constructively and resolve industrial disputes through dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation.
The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the agreement is the result of years of discussions between the Federal Government and ASUU over industrial relations.
The ministry noted that the agreement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the centre of national development, human capital development, and socio economic progress.
It is expected to promote industrial peace, provide a more conducive learning environment, and restore confidence among students, university workers, and the wider public.
According to the ministry, the unveiling ceremony will be attended by senior government officials, ASUU representatives, heads of tertiary institutions, development partners, and members of the media.
The disagreement between the Federal Government and ASUU has remained a long standing issue in Nigeria’s higher education system, often revolving around funding, conditions of service, and the implementation of past agreements.
Over the years, ASUU has embarked on several strikes in pursuit of better funding for public universities, improved staff welfare, and the full implementation of earlier accords, including outstanding aspects of the 2009 agreement.
The most recent significant industrial action occurred in October 2025, when ASUU began a two week nationwide strike.
These strike actions have repeatedly disrupted academic calendars, sometimes lasting months and resulting in lost study time, delayed graduations, and increased movement of students to private or foreign universities.
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