Nigeria’s Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, has clarified his earlier comments on the Federal Government’s agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), acknowledging that a pact was signed in 2009.
The minister had initially told reporters in Abuja on Thursday that no such agreement existed, describing the union’s claims as based on a draft document – a statement rejected by ASUU.
In a follow-up statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, Dr Alausa explained that he was referring to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs Agreement, which was never signed.
“The ministry reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed document,” the statement read. It added that the Nimi Briggs draft serves as a framework for ongoing discussions on improving conditions in universities.
The ministry stated that efforts were underway to resolve the long-standing dispute with ASUU, assuring that the government remains committed to keeping universities open and addressing staff concerns under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
