NANS Welcomes “Historic” ASUU-Federal Govt Accord — Declares New Era for Nigerian Higher Education

By Adesakin Adefemi 

 The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) today hailed the signing of a landmark agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a “turning point” that could finally end decades of crippling strike actions and restore stability, dignity, and global competitiveness to Nigeria’s university system.

In a strongly worded press release signed by NANS President Comrade Olushola L. Oladoja and disseminated to national media, the student union commended both parties for “rising above politics and protest to deliver a concrete, implementable roadmap for tertiary education reform.” The accord formally unveiled Wednesday at the TETFund Conference Hall in Maitama replaces the outdated 2009 Memorandum of Understanding that repeatedly collapsed under pressure from unresolved salary, infrastructure, and welfare demands.

Key breakthroughs include: a 40 percent salary uplift for academic staff effective January 1, 2026; introduction of a consolidated “academic tools allowance” to support teaching and research; and newly created professorial-cadre allowances to recognize and retain senior scholars all identified by NANS as essential to reversing brain drain and revitalizing Nigeria’s once-leading universities.

“President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves special commendation for his personal resolve to keep campuses open and invest in quality education,” Comrade Oladoja said. “His administration listene not just to ASUU, but to the millions of students whose futures were being hijacked by endless industrial actions.”

NANS emphasized that students were not passive observers, but active catalysts of this breakthrough. “From campus mobilization to national dialogue forums, we pushed relentlessly for dialogue over disruption — and today, our persistence paid off,” Oladoja added, citing NANS’ role in brokering meetings, publishing white papers, and amplifying public pressure on government.

Statements from ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna, Federal Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of Labour Mohammed Dingyadi all present at the signing, underscored a “new spirit of partnership and accountability,” echoing NANS’ long-held demand for sincerity in implementation. “This is not another press release it is a binding contract with the Nigerian people,” Oladoja warned.

Crucially, NANS announced it will launch a national monitoring task force using its 37 state chapters and campus networks to track every deliverable, from salary disbursements to infrastructure rollout. “We will not allow another broken promise. If any clause is delayed or diluted, we will hold all parties publicly accountable,” the union vowed.

“This agreement is more than a document it is a covenant,” said Michael Oyewole, Chief Press Secretary to the NANS President. “We stand ready to collaborate with government, ASUU, and civil society to ensure Nigerian students finally get the stable, world-class education they deserve.”