By Mary Onyia
The federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have finally resolved to end the long-drawn dispute between them and work towards improving the quality and stability of university education in Nigeria.
Both parties are set to formalise a new agreement on Tuesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The ceremony 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 ASUU’s recent 14-day ultimatum to the federal government, which raised concerns of another nationwide strike. However, the planned industrial action was suspended after overnight talks between the union and government officials produced a breakthrough.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said the agreement reflects its commitment to “constructive engagement with critical stakeholders” and to resolving industrial disputes through “dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation.”
Signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the statement noted that the formalisation of the pact was the outcome of years of engagement aimed at addressing recurring 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 strategic driver of national development, human capital growth and socio-economic transformation.
The government expressed optimism that the pact would enhance industrial peace, create a more conducive academic environment, and restore confidence among students, university staff and the wider public.
The unveiling ceremony is expected to attract senior government officials, ASUU leaders, heads of tertiary institutions, development partners and members of the media.
The FG–ASUU dispute has remained a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s higher education sector, driven largely by disagreements over funding, conditions of service and the implementation of past agreements. Central to the tensions has been the 2009 agreement, aspects of which ASUU has repeatedly accused successive governments of failing to fully implement.
Over the years, the union has embarked on several strike actions, often disrupting academic calendars for months, delaying graduations and prompting students to migrate to private or foreign universities. The most recent major action occurred in October 2025, when ASUU declared a two-week nationwide strike.