Jack Acheme, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has reaffirmed that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the most recent and binding pact between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The clarification was issued in a statement by the Director of Press at the ministry, Boriowo Folashade, following media reports suggesting a new deal had been reached with ASUU.
Folashade explained that the minister’s comments during a media interaction were misinterpreted, stressing that his reference was to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs Agreement, which was never formally signed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the FGN-ASUU Agreement was last signed in 2009. That agreement remains the most recent signed and binding agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU,” she said.
She recalled that in 2017, then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated a renegotiation committee to review the 2009 agreement, producing the Nimi Briggs draft in May 2021.
“However, it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government,” she added.
She noted that Alausa’s comments were intended to clarify that no fresh agreement had been executed with ASUU since 2009, with the Nimi Briggs draft serving only as a framework for ongoing discussions.
“The Ministry therefore reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed agreement, while the 2021 draft provides the latest framework for dialogue. The Federal Government remains committed to ending the 16-year stalemate with ASUU in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner, ensuring our universities remain open for teaching and research,” she said.
The Director urged the public and stakeholders to disregard misinterpretations and assured that the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving ASUU-related issues remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
PIAK