JAC hails FG-ASUU agreement, urges swift action on NASU, SSANU talks

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has congratulated the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the signing of a new agreement with the Federal Government, calling the development a crucial milestone for industrial harmony in Nigeria’s university system.

In a statement signed by Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, and Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, President of SSANU and Chairman of JAC, the committee described the agreement signed on January 14, 2026, as the culmination of what had seemed an elusive negotiation process.

They commended ASUU for achieving improved working conditions for its members and urged the Federal Government to expedite similar renegotiations with NASU and SSANU without delay, warning that any stalling after the ASUU pact could “invite chaos” and undermine the industrial peace the non-teaching staff unions have striven to maintain.

UPDATED: FG signs, unveils new agreement with ASUU

The JAC emphasised that a timely conclusion of the ongoing talks with NASU and SSANU would stave off a breakdown of labour peace in the university system, urging the government “not to stir the hornet’s nest through any form of delay tactics.” “A stitch in time saves nine!” the statement concluded.

The FG-ASUU newly signed agreement marks the end of the long-running renegotiation of the 2009 FG-ASUU Memorandum of Understanding that had fueled repeated strikes and disruptions across federal universities. The deal was reached in late December 2025.

Reports revealed that the new FG-ASUU agreement includes a 40 per cent increase in academic salaries, enhanced pension arrangements including full annual salary pensions for professors retiring at age 70, and a restructuring of allowances to support research, conferences, internet access and professional development.

It also commits to revamped funding for universities: dedicating funds for research, libraries, labs and staff development, stronger institutional autonomy and academic freedom, and the establishment of a National Research Council with statutory funding of at least one per cent of GDP. Importantly, the agreement guarantees that no staff will be victimised for participating in previous industrial actions.

Furthermore, JAC added that ASUU’s breakthrough underscores growing anticipation among university-based unions that a comprehensive resolution to longstanding labour grievances in higher education can be achieved.

It went on to insist that the government must match words with action in negotiations with NASU and SSANU to avert a widening crisis in the nation’s university sector.