FG Says University Strikes Are History as NASU Agreement Enters Final Stage

Parents and students across Nigeria have been urged to stop worrying about university closures, as the Federal Government insists that industrial action in tertiary institutions is permanently a thing of the past.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, delivered the assurance while speaking at the presentation of awards to winners of the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative at the United Nations Development Programme Innovation Hub, Ikoyi, Lagos. He confirmed that the government had resolved longstanding disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the FG/ASUU 2025 agreement and was in the final stages of concluding a deal with the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).

Alausa disclosed that on January 14, 2026, the Federal Government and ASUU signed an agreement that includes a 40% salary increase for academic staff, improved pensions, and a commitment to better university funding. He further revealed that the salary increase had begun reaching academic staff by the end of January 2026, adding that "even without the passage of the 2026 budget, almost 90% to 95% of our tertiary institutions, starting with universities, have started paying the increase without any problem."

The Minister described recent reports of a looming ASUU strike as fake news, stating that he personally confirmed with ASUU President Professor Chris Piwuna that he was "quoted out of context." He urged the public to disregard such reports, asserting, "We've solved this in totality. So when you get news about looming strikes, treat it as fake."

On the NASU agreement, Alausa appealed for patience, stating, "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."

The Minister credited President Bola Tinubu with personally driving the resolution of the disputes, noting that the negotiations with ASUU were direct and unmediated. "Whatever the academic and non academic unions asked for, the President approved immediately. Anything to improve welfare, he said, 'I will do it,' and we have delivered successfully," Alausa stated.

He further affirmed, "In the past three years, there has never been a strike, and I can tell you, there will never be a strike."