The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has clarified that the 2009 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN-ASUU) agreement remains the last binding pact between both parties.

Alausa, who had earlier told reporters in Abuja on Thursday that no signed agreement existed, saying ASUU was only parading a draft, backtracked in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

The clarification noted that while the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs Agreement was the latest renegotiation effort, it was never signed, making the 2009 agreement the most recent valid document.

“When the minister said 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 explained. “The 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement remains the last formally signed agreement.”

The ministry added that the federal government was committed to resolving the 16-year impasse with ASUU “in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner, ensuring that our universities remain open for teaching and research.”

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, had earlier faulted the government over “poor record-keeping” in its dealings with the union.

Meanwhile, ASUU has also called on the federal government to extend the seven-year gestation period for licensing private universities to cover colleges of education and polytechnics.