The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its commitment to resolving the lingering disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), assuring Nigerians that every effort is being made to avert another round of industrial action that could disrupt the academic calendar.
Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja ahead of the high-level meeting of the Federal Government/ASUU 2025 Proposed Agreement Committee, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a clear directive for all relevant parties to ensure that Nigerian students remain in school.
“There is no basis for ASUU or any other university union to embark on strike action,” the Minister stated firmly. “The President has instructed that we must avert any form of disruption in our tertiary education system and focus on sustainable reforms.”
The appeal comes after ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding that the Federal Government fulfil pending agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, improved funding for public universities, and the end to alleged victimisation of members across several institutions such as LASU, KSU, and FUTO.
According to Dr. Alausa, the government is currently finalising a comprehensive counter-offer to ASUU’s proposal through the Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee, which is expected to meet with ASUU leaders later this week.
The Minister assured that the administration is working towards a holistic, affordable, and sustainable agreement, unlike past fragmented negotiations. He noted that the new framework would cover universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, addressing the entire tertiary education sector simultaneously.
Highlighting government efforts so far, Alausa announced that ₦50 billion has been released for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), ₦150 billion has been budgeted for university revitalisation in 2025, and outstanding promotion arrears will be included in the 2026 fiscal plan.
He further urged ASUU to prioritise dialogue over strikes, stressing that the Federal Government values the patience and dedication of Nigerian lecturers and aims to meet their needs through collaboration rather than confrontation.
With these developments, there is growing optimism that a lasting resolution may finally be within reach. One that will not only prevent another ASUU strike but also stabilise Nigeria’s university system and secure a brighter future for millions of students nationwide.
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