- Safiu Kehinde
Peace seem imminent in Nigerian universities as the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are today signing an agreement over salary increase.
The arrangements will also cover increase in allowances of university teachers.
These have been sources of disagreements between the government and the union leading to incessant breaks in academic programmes through industrial actions.
At the signing ceremony holding in Abuja are the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa who is leading the government team.
Leading the team of ASUU is its president Prof Chris Piwuna.
Speaking, the ASUU president lamented the rot in the universities.
Among these include the running of universities by those he called consultants.
He also said the governance structure of the universities are suspect adding that issues of transparency need to be looked into.
Specifically, Piwuna said the conversion of colleges of education in the country are not helping the education sector. He said many Colleges of Education have been converted into universities without adequate preparation to make them deliver true university education.
Piwuna added that many vice chancellors of the converted institutions are already promoting their senior lecturers to professors adding these are not following laid down procedures.
Meanwhile, the ASUU President declared the union’s support of the current administration.
“The country must be rescued and rebuilt for the interest of the people. In this view, I want to tell your and your colleagues in government that you have an ally in ASUU. We are ready to work with you.” He said.
While expressing optimism on the implementation of the agreement, Piwuna called for collective bargaining of demands as it affects the academic institutions.
“We are not against plurality of unions but follow the due process. The union are meant to come together and elect representatives for collective bargaining.” the ASUU President said.
In his address, Alausa commended the Yayale Ahmed reconciliation committee over the realisation of the agreement.
The Minister of Education however declared that the agreement is largely made possible through President Bola Tinubu’s intervention on the persistent ASUU strike action.
“This occasion represents far more than unveiling a document. It symbolisies renewed trust, restored confidence, and decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria tertiary education system.
“Today’s agreement is a clear and deliberate with unprecedented demonstration to quality, accessible, and uninterrupted academic calendars for all Nigerian students in our tertiary institutions.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s benevolence, courage, and conviction are unmistakenly evident throughout this process.
“He understands deeply that education is the bedrock of any modern, productive, and prosperous society.
“That is why, for the first time in the history of this country, a sitting President took full control, full ownership of this longstanding challenge that confronted our educational system and accorded his leadership attention to getting us to where we are today.
“For decades, unresolved renumeration concerns, welfare gaps, and recurring industrial disputes disrupted academic calendars; undermined staff morale and threatened the future of our young citizens.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we deliberately chose dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetorics.” He said.
Alausa also announced that the agreement has taken effect starting from January 1st, 2026, as he allayed concern of government’s delay in implementation of agreement.
“The agreement provides for the review of renumeration package for staff. It will be effective from January 1st.
“The 40 percent increases will be represented by the consolidated academic allowances.” He said.
While unveiling the agreement, Alausa maintained that the event symbolises the death of ASUU strike as he considered it a lasting solution to the annual clash between the union and the FG.
“Today signals the death of ASUU strike.” He said.
More details later…