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President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the long-standing era of industrial strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has come to an end.
He said his administration remains committed to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The president gave this assurance at the 56th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Commitment to Stable Academic Calendars
Tinubu said his government would prioritise sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and the timely fulfilment of agreements. According to him, these measures would replace the repeated strike actions that disrupted academic calendars for decades.
Although Tinubu is the Visitor to UNILAG, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, represented him at the event.
The president noted that his administration had already demonstrated strong political will. As a result, academic activities across tertiary institutions have continued without interruption.
New Agreement With ASUU
Tinubu revealed that the federal government recently signed a new agreement with ASUU. He said the agreement had resolved a long-standing crisis that weakened confidence in Nigeria’s university system.
“Since the inception of my administration, we have witnessed two uninterrupted academic sessions across tertiary institutions,” he said.
According to him, this achievement did not happen by chance. Instead, it resulted from firm leadership and continuous engagement with stakeholders.
“This agreement marks a turning point in the history of tertiary education in Nigeria,” Tinubu added. “It guarantees industrial harmony and restores dignity to learning.”
Education Sector Reforms
The president also highlighted key reforms introduced by his administration. These include the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) for students and the Institutional Staff Support Fund for university workers.
Furthermore, he said the government would continue to invest in curriculum restructuring, quality assurance, and skill-based learning.
Tinubu stressed that universities must produce graduates who are job-ready. More importantly, he said they must be capable of creating jobs and driving innovation.
UNILAG VC Commends Graduates
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, commended members of the university senate, staff, and stakeholders for their dedication.
She praised the graduates and their sponsors, noting that the students received thorough training.
The VC encouraged the graduates to turn challenges into opportunities. She also urged them to make meaningful contributions to society.
