FG Declares End to ASUU Strikes, Vows Uninterrupted Academic Sessions
The Federal Government has officially declared that the era of strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions is permanently over, providing strong assurances to parents, students, and the general public that universities and polytechnics will remain open for all academic sessions without disruption. This landmark announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the presentation of awards to winners of the students venture capital grant initiative in Lagos.
Resolution of Longstanding Disputes
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the government has successfully resolved longstanding disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the FG/ASUU 2025 agreement. He further revealed that the government is close to finalizing an agreement with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), which is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
The minister described recent reports of imminent strike action by university teachers as completely untrue, stating that the federal government has addressed all issues concerning the union comprehensively.
Key Provisions of the ASUU Agreement
On January 14, 2026, the Federal Government and ASUU signed a significant agreement that includes several critical provisions:
- A 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff
- Improved pension benefits
- A firm commitment to better university funding
Regarding the status of salary payments, Minister Alausa disclosed that the 40 per cent increase has already commenced in some institutions. He assured that the implementation will proceed smoothly without any problems, noting that even without the passage of the 2026 budget, approximately 90 to 95 per cent of tertiary institutions, starting with universities, have begun paying the increase without issues.
Government's Commitment to Education Continuity
Dr. Alausa expressed the government's dedication to ensuring that all staff in tertiary institutions benefit from these agreements and that students' education continues without interruption. "Our tertiary institutions will continue to remain open for all academic sessions. Please don't worry about strikes," he stated confidently.
He added, "The academic staff are happy. This is an agreement that went into a quagmire for 20 years, and we have fixed it in totality. This is one government that believes in our youth. They are the heartbeat of this nation, and we have to keep them engaged in school."
Progress with NASU Agreement
On the matter of NASU, the minister explained that the government has met with the union leadership and drafted an agreement that will be finalized soon. "Please be patient with us. We have drafted that agreement, and it will be signed soon. Our commitment is to ensure all staff in tertiary institutions benefit and that students' education continues uninterrupted," he reassured.
This comprehensive approach by the Federal Government aims to create a stable and productive academic environment across Nigeria's higher education institutions, marking a significant shift from the previous pattern of frequent industrial actions that disrupted academic calendars.
