The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are set to formalise a new agreement on Tuesday aimed at improving the quality of Nigeria’s university education system and ensuring industrial stability.
The Federal Ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the agreement-signing ceremony will take place at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall, Maitama, Abuja.
The event will be presided over by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
The development follows a recent 14-day ultimatum issued by ASUU, which was later suspended after overnight negotiations between the union and the Federal Government, averting a strike action.
In an update, the ministry said the new agreement underscores the government’s commitment to constructive engagement with critical stakeholders and the resolution of industrial disputes through dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation.
The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the formalisation of the agreement is the outcome of years of engagements between the Federal Government and ASUU to address lingering industrial disputes in the university system.
According to the ministry, the agreement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises education as a key driver of national development, human capital growth and socio-economic transformation.
It is expected to promote industrial peace, create a more conducive academic environment and restore confidence among students, university staff and the general public.
The ministry added that the unveiling ceremony will be attended by senior government officials, ASUU leaders, heads of tertiary institutions, development partners and members of the media.
The dispute between the Federal Government and ASUU has remained a major challenge in Nigeria’s higher education sector, with recurring disagreements over funding, conditions of service and the implementation of past agreements.
Over the years, ASUU has embarked on several strike actions to demand improved funding for public universities, better welfare for lecturers and the full implementation of earlier accords, including unresolved aspects of the 2009 agreement that has featured prominently in many of the union’s industrial actions.
The most recent major industrial action occurred in October 2025, when ASUU embarked on a two-week nationwide strike. Such strikes have often disrupted academic calendars, resulting in lost academic time, delayed graduations and increased student migration to private institutions and foreign universities.