A defining moment for Nigerian tertiary education arrived on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. However, the unveiling of the landmark 2025 FG-ASUU Agreement served as a platform for a stark warning regarding the nation’s survival.
Prof. Chris Piwuna, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), leveraged the high-profile event to confront the Federal Government. While celebrating the new educational pact, he delivered a blunt assessment of the cost-of-living crisis paralyzing Nigerian families.
A Message to the Cabinet
Piwuna tasked the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, with a critical assignment. He urged the Minister to bypass diplomatic gloss and present the raw reality of citizen suffering to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
According to the ASUU leader, the current economic climate is pushing the populace to the brink. High transport costs and food scarcity dominated his address.
“Please tell your colleagues that the economic situation is still hard,” Piwuna stated. “Meals are hard to come by, transportation remains a challenge, and families are struggling to keep body and soul together.”
Inside the 2025 FG-ASUU Agreement
The primary agenda of the gathering remained the ratification of the new pact. This document represents a significant breakthrough, replacing the obsolete 2009 agreement. Renegotiations had stalled repeatedly since 2017, leading to years of industrial friction.
Momentum shifted in October 2024 when the government inaugurated a special committee led by Yayale Ahmed. Their work culminated in this finalized document, which aims to overhaul the university system.
Key pillars of the 2025 FG-ASUU Agreement include:
- Enhanced Welfare: Upgraded conditions of service to halt the exodus of academic talent.
- Financial Autonomy: Increased funding coupled with greater independence for institutions.
- Academic Freedom: Robust protections for intellectual liberty within the system.
- Strategic Growth: Realigning universities to drive national development.
Security Gains and Tax Dialogue
Despite the economic gloom, Piwuna acknowledged progress in other sectors. He commended security agencies for recent improvements in national safety, urging them to sustain the tempo.
Furthermore, the union is seeking direct engagement on fiscal policy. Piwuna extended a public invitation to Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
ASUU intends to host Oyedele at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. The goal is to provide academic insights that could refine tax reforms for the benefit of the educational community.
Protecting Academic Standards
The ASUU President also turned his critical lens inward, addressing the erosion of standards within the university system. He expressed deep concern over administrative weaknesses and financial mismanagement.
Specifically, Piwuna flagged the Federal Universities of Education. He alleged that some of these newer institutions are diluting the rigorous criteria required for professorial ranks.
Consequently, he issued a challenge to Vice-Chancellors. Piwuna demanded a review of recent promotions, insisting that political expediency must never supersede academic excellence.
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