“FG Declares 2009 ASUU Agreement As Only Legally Binding Pact”

2009 ASUU Agreement Still Binding — Education Minister Clarifies

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has clarified that the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) remains the only binding agreement to date.

According to iReporter Online, the minister made the clarification during a media interaction on Thursday, following what officials described as a misinterpretation of his earlier comments regarding the state of negotiations with ASUU.

In a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, the minister’s remarks were explained in full context. She noted that although a draft agreement — known as the Nimi Briggs document — was produced in May 2021 after a renegotiation process initiated in 2017 by former Minister Adamu Adamu, it was never officially signed by the Federal Government.

“When Dr. Alausa said there was ‘no new signed agreement,’ he was specifically referring to the 2021 Nimi Briggs draft, which has not been formally executed,” Boriowo said.

According to iReporter Online, the ministry emphasized that while the Briggs document serves as a reference point for current talks, the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last officially ratified framework.

Boriowo further stated that the Federal Government remains committed to resolving the prolonged impasse with ASUU in a lawful and sustainable manner, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to iReporter Online, the Ministry urged stakeholders and the public to dismiss misleading interpretations and reiterated the administration’s readiness to continue negotiations in good faith.

“This government remains firm in its dedication to finding a long-term, constitutionally backed resolution to the issues that have plagued the university system for over a decade,” the statement concluded.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”