The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s public universities may enjoy at least three years of uninterrupted academic activities following the signing of a fresh agreement with the Federal Government.
The new pact, formally unveiled on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, replaces the long-disputed 2009 agreement, which had been at the centre of repeated industrial actions over funding gaps, lecturers’ welfare, and alleged failure by the government to implement earlier commitments.
Effective from January 1, 2026, the 2025 agreement is designed to improve the quality of university education while ensuring stability and predictability in the sector.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union is hopeful that the new framework, if faithfully implemented, would eliminate the need for strikes within the lifespan of the agreement.
“There are measurable aspects of the agreement, and we believe we can monitor it,” Prof. Piwuna said. “If properly monitored, issues can be raised early before they escalate. Our hope is that in the next three years, there will be no strike until the agreement is reviewed again.”
As part of the implementation strategy, the agreement provides for the establishment of an Implementation Monitoring Team domiciled at the National Universities Commission (NUC) and coordinated by the office of the NUC Executive Secretary. The team is expected to track compliance, ensure timely execution of commitments, and address emerging challenges.
Prof. Piwuna also clarified that the controversial 2009 agreement has now been consigned to history and will no longer serve as a reference point. All future engagements, he said, will be guided strictly by the 2025 agreement, while elements of the 1992 agreement signed during the tenure of Prof. Attahiru Jega remain purely historical.
The new agreement comes after years of disruptions to academic calendars caused by ASUU strikes, which were largely driven by demands for increased funding, improved working conditions, and adherence to previous accords.
With built-in monitoring mechanisms and a clear review timeline of three years, stakeholders are hopeful the deal will usher in a new era of industrial harmony, stability, and improved learning outcomes across Nigeria’s public universities.
