FG Announces Duration For 4-Year Course
The Federal Government has pledged to honour its agreements with staff unions in tertiary institutions, with Education Minister Tunji Alausa declaring that four-year degree programmes must be completed within the stipulated four-year period.
Alausa made the declaration while unveiling the 2026 agreements between the government and academic and non-academic staff unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
He said the agreements were intended to rebuild trust between the government and education workers, prevent recurring industrial disputes and ensure that students no longer lose valuable academic time because of strikes arising from unmet commitments.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was determined to end the longstanding cycle of broken agreements and disruptions to academic calendars.
He added that the new arrangements reflected the President’s campaign promise that students should complete four-year courses within four years.Access Services
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). They also provide for the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for non-academic staff unions across the three categories of tertiary institutions.
The allowances are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, subject to the applicable implementation guidelines.
Alausa acknowledged that signing the agreements was only the first step, saying the government’s credibility would depend on its commitment to implementing the provisions as agreed.
He assured the unions that the Federal Government would fulfil its obligations.Enroll in Classes
To prevent disagreements over implementation from escalating into strikes, the minister announced plans to expand the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee established for the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
