The Federal Government has declared that the era of strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions is permanently over, assuring parents and students that universities and polytechnics will remain open for uninterrupted academic sessions.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the assurance on Monday during the presentation of awards to winners of the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative at the United Nations Development Programme Innovation Hub in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Alausa said the government had resolved longstanding disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the FG/ASUU 2025 agreement and was close to finalising an agreement with varsity non-teaching staff.
He disclosed that on Jan. 14, 2026, the Federal Government and ASUU signed an agreement that includes a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, improved pension arrangements and commitments toward enhanced funding for universities.
The minister described reports that ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, issued a four-day ultimatum to the government as “fake news,” saying the union leader confirmed he was quoted out of context.
“We’ve solved this in totality. So when you get news about looming strikes, treat it as fake. Let me use this medium to assure our parents — our words are our bond. Your students will remain in school. Strikes have been cured in eternity,” Alausa said.
He added that tertiary institutions across the country would remain open for all academic sessions, urging stakeholders not to worry about possible disruptions.
According to him, issues concerning varsity non-teaching staff have largely been resolved, noting that the agreement with the workers would be signed in the coming weeks.
“The academic staff are happy. This is an agreement that went into a quagmire for 20 years, and we have fixed it in totality. This government believes in our youth. They are the heartbeat of this nation, and we have to keep them engaged in school,” he said.
On salary payments, the minister revealed that the 40 per cent salary increase had begun reaching academic staff as of late January 2026.
He explained that nearly 90 to 95 per cent of tertiary institutions had commenced payment of the new salary structure, made possible through reallocation of funds from the 2025 budget while awaiting passage of the 2026 appropriation.
Addressing concerns about specific institutions, Alausa said direct communication with vice chancellors, including those at the University of Lagos, confirmed that no strike actions were ongoing.
He attributed earlier reports of industrial action in some institutions to miscommunication at local union levels, adding that the national ASUU leadership had clarified the situation.
On the pending agreement with varsity non-teaching staff, the minister said the government had met with their leadership and drafted a framework that would soon be formalised.
“Please be patient with us. We have drafted that agreement, and it will be signed soon. Our commitment is to ensure all staff in tertiary institutions benefit and that students’ education continues uninterrupted,” he said.
Alausa further stated that President Bola Tinubu had been personally involved in resolving industrial disputes within the tertiary education sector.
He explained that negotiations with academic and non-teaching unions were conducted directly, with approvals granted promptly to meet demands aimed at improving staff welfare.
“Whatever the academic and non-academic unions asked for, the President approved immediately. Anything to improve welfare, he said, ‘I will do it,’ and we have delivered successfully,” the minister added.
