By Muhammad Mamman
The president of Nigeria’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke Piwuna, has urged lecturers across the country to recommit themselves fully to teaching, research and community service following a new agreement reached with the federal government.
Speaking after the conclusion of negotiations between ASUU and government representatives, Piwuna said the latest understanding was aimed at stabilising the university system and preventing the recurrent disruptions that have plagued public higher education in recent years.
He noted that the agreement addressed key concerns raised by the union, including welfare issues, funding commitments and aspects of university autonomy, and called on academic staff to play their part in ensuring its success.
According to the ASUU president, lecturers must now focus on restoring confidence in the public university system by returning to classrooms, laboratories and lecture halls with renewed dedication.
“The responsibility before us is to justify the sacrifices made and ensure that Nigerian universities can compete favourably at regional and global levels,” he said.
Piwuna also warned that while the union remained open to dialogue, it would continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement, stressing that past failures by successive governments to honour similar deals had undermined trust.
Nigeria’s public universities have experienced repeated strikes over the years, often triggered by disputes over funding, salaries and working conditions, leading to prolonged closures and academic delays for millions of students.
The latest agreement has raised cautious optimism among students and parents, many of whom hope it will mark the beginning of a more stable academic calendar.
