The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the most recent and binding agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was last signed in 2009.

A statement issued recently on the ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stated that the clarification became necessary following comments made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, regarding its commitment to ending the 16-year stalemate with ASUU.

The statement noted that the FGN-ASUU agreement was last signed in 2009, ascertaining that the agreement remains the latest binding agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.

The ministry explained that while a draft agreement was produced by the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiation committee that was inaugurated by the then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in 2017, the draft agreement was never signed by the Federal government.

According to the statement: “Dr. Alausa’s remark about there being “no new signed agreement,” referred specifically to the unsigned 2021 draft. Instead, while reaffirming the government’s position, the 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement serves as the latest framework for discussions.”

The ministry maintained its stance of its commitment to ending the 16-year impasse with ASUU “in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner” ensuring that universities remain open for learning and research.

The ministry urged the public and stakeholders to disregard misinterpretations of the minister’s statement, reiterating the government’s resolve to settle issues with ASUU. (Nigerian Tribune)