The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified its position on the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the most recent signed and binding agreement between the government and ASUU remains the 2009 agreement. This clarification was made in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Friday in Abuja.
The statement was necessary to correct the misinterpretation of the minister’s remark during an interaction with journalists on Thursday. Mrs. Boriowo explained that in 2017, a renegotiation committee was inaugurated by the then Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to review the 2009 agreement. This process led to the drafting of the Nimi Briggs agreement in May 2021. However, she emphasized that the 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government.
The minister’s statement that there had been “no new signed agreement” with ASUU referred specifically to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs document, which has not been formally executed. The Ministry of Education therefore reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed agreement. The 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement serves as the latest framework for discussions, but it has not been signed.
The federal government remains committed to ending the 16-year stalemate with ASUU in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner, ensuring universities remain open for teaching and research. The Ministry of Education urges the public and all stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and note that the federal government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The clarification comes as the federal government continues to seek a resolution to the longstanding dispute with ASUU. The government’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution is crucial to ensuring the stability and continuity of university education in Nigeria. With the 2009 agreement remaining in force, the government and ASUU will likely continue to negotiate based on the 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that benefits all parties involved.
