FG unveils 2026 agreements with tertiary staff unions, pledges faithful implementation
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled the 2026 agreements with staff unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions, with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, describing the development as a major step towards staff welfare and academic stability.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose support and determination, he said, made the historic agreements possible.
Dr Alausa noted that for decades, agreements between government and unions were followed by delayed or unfulfilled commitments, weakening trust and triggering prolonged strikes that disrupted academic calendars.
Students lost months and years, families bore extra costs, and teaching and research suffered.
He recalled that President Tinubu had promised during his campaign that a four-year course would be completed in four years. He said the agreements give practical expression to that pledge: “A promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored.”
The Minister explained that the agreements cover the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), as well as the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for non-teaching staff unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The allowances take effect from 1 January 2026.
He said the allowances reflect the principle that the quality of tertiary education is inseparable from the welfare, motivation and professional wellbeing of its workforce. He added that government’s commitment extends to fair treatment, transparent promotion processes, occupational safety and career advancement opportunities.
To ensure effective implementation, the Federal Government has decided to expand the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the ASUU agreement into a single body responsible for all agreements with academic and non-academic staff unions. Its membership will be broadened to ensure representation of all unions and relevant stakeholders.
The Minister said the expanded committee would serve as a common platform to monitor milestones, assess progress, address challenges and ensure accountability through periodic reports.
“Implementation must be timely, transparent and assessed against measurable obligations,” he stated.
Dr Alausa urged government agencies to discharge their responsibilities diligently, and governing councils and institutional managements to keep accurate records, comply with guidelines and cooperate fully with the committee. He also urged union leaders to keep members informed and channel concerns through agreed mechanisms.
Emphasising that industrial harmony is essential to educational excellence, he called for early consultation and constructive dialogue, with students and their families at the centre of all efforts.
The Minister commended the leadership of ASUP, COEASU and the non-teaching unions for their constructive participation, and acknowledged the contributions of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies and their technical teams.
He also thanked the Chairman of the Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee, Malam Yayale Ahmed, and members of the committee for their diligence in bringing the assignment to a historic conclusion.
“The Federal Government will honour its commitments,” Dr Alausa assured, pledging to work with all parties to translate the agreements into improved staff welfare and dependable academic calendars.
At the event, the Minister presented signed copies of the agreements to ASUP, COEASU, SSANU, NASU, NAAT, SSANIP, NOTSUP and SSUCOEN.