By IDNN Education Desk
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly criticised the Federal Government after Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa claimed that no formal agreement had ever been signed with the union.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Alausa said documents often cited by ASUU were “only proposals” and not binding contracts. He stressed that previous negotiations lacked constitutional backing, but assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to reaching a “clean, actionable agreement.”
“The 2021 agreement was not executed by government. ASUU might have an impression that they have an agreement, but it was a draft. What we want now is an agreement that is constitutional, implementable, and sustainable,” Alausa said.
He added that a seven-member high-level technical team, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Education and including the Solicitor General of the Federation, would finalise the government’s counter-proposal before resuming talks with ASUU.
Earlier this year, Tinubu’s government released ₦50 billion to clear earned allowances, but the union insists deeper reforms are overdue.
Reacting to Alausa’s statement, ASUU President dismissed the minister’s claim, accusing government of institutional failure.
“The government is very poor at keeping records. Sometimes you wonder if there is proper handover from one officer to another,” Piwuna said.
ASUU continues to demand improved salaries, revitalisation of universities, autonomy, and reforms of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and National Universities Commission (NUC).
Union leaders warned that government’s refusal to acknowledge past commitments only deepens mistrust and risks renewed industrial action.
Observers say the standoff reflects a long-running cycle of broken promises that has repeatedly disrupted Nigeria’s university system.
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