Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, has clarified that 2009 memorandum of understanding (MoU) remains federal government’s only binding agreement with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Gatekeepers News reports that the clarification was contained in a statement released in Abuja on Friday by Folasade Boriowo, director of press at the ministry, who noted that Alausa’s earlier remarks to journalists had been misinterpreted.
Boriowo recalled that in 2017, then education minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated a renegotiation committee to review the 2009 deal, which later produced the Nimi Briggs draft agreement in May 2021.
However, she emphasised that “it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the federal government.”
She explained further, “When the minister stated yesterday that there had been no new signed agreement with ASUU, he was referring specifically to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs document, which has not been formally executed.”
“The ministry therefore reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement remains the last formally signed agreement. The 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement was not signed but serves as the latest framework for discussions.”
According to Boriowo, the federal government is still committed to finding a lasting solution to the long-standing disputes with ASUU and ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s universities.
She said, “The ministry of education urges the public and all stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and to note that the federal government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm.”
