The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, says the 2009 pact remains the only signed and binding agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The clarification was contained in a statement on Friday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, following what she described as a misinterpretation of the minister’s earlier remarks.
She recalled that in 2017, a renegotiation committee was set up, which produced the draft Nimi Briggs agreement in May 2021.
“However, it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government,” she said.
Boriowo noted that when the minister said there had been “no new signed agreement” with ASUU, he was referring to the 2021 draft, which has not been formally executed.
She added that while the Nimi Briggs draft serves as the current framework for discussions, the 2009 agreement remains the last valid and binding document.
According to her, the federal government is committed to resolving the 16-year impasse with ASUU sustainably and constitutionally, ensuring universities remain open for teaching and research.
“The ministry urges the public and stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and note that the government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she added.
(NAN)