PRESS RELEASE
CLARIFICATION ON MINISTER’S STATEMENT REGARDING FGN-ASUU AGREEMENTSThe Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, wishes to clarify his statement made during an interaction with the press on August 28, 2025, regarding agreements between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
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.
Subsequently, in 2017, the then Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated a renegotiation committee to review the 2009 agreement. The outcome of that process was the draft Nimi Briggs Agreement produced in May 2021. However, it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government.
When the Honourable Minister stated yesterday that there had been “no new signed agreement” with ASUU, he was referring specifically to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs document, which has not been formally executed.
The Ministry therefore reaffirms that, The 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed agreement, The 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement was not signed but serves as the latest framework for discussions. 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.
The Ministry of Education urges the public and all stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and to note that the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Director, Press & Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Education
Boriowo Folasade
