ROLES OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FG–ASUU AGREEMENT IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study examines the roles of key stakeholders in facilitating the full implementation of the FG–ASUU agreement in Nigerian universities. Stakeholders considered include the Federal Government and its agencies, ASUU as the primary academic labour union, university management and governing councils, regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), students and student associations, as well as civil society organisations and the media. Using a qualitative position paper approach, the study analyses how each stakeholder contributes to policy operationalisation, monitoring, accountability, and dispute prevention. It also highlights the risks associated with inadequate coordination, role conflict, weak accountability structures, and historical mistrust that have previously undermined agreement implementation. Findings indicate that effective implementation requires a coordinated multi-stakeholder strategy where the Federal Government ensures timely and adequate funding and demonstrates sustained political will; ASUU actively monitors compliance and engages in constructive dialogue; university management and councils operationalise agreement provisions transparently; regulatory bodies provide oversight and enforce accountability; and students and the wider society participate in advocacy, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms. The study concludes that without deliberate engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders, the agreement risks replicating historical patterns of partial implementation and industrial unrest. Consequently, it recommends institutionalised dialogue, strengthened monitoring frameworks, transparency in resource allocation, empowerment of university governance structures, and active stakeholder participation as essential measures to ensure the FG–ASUU agreement achieves its intended objectives of industrial peace, enhanced academic productivity, and sustainable university reform in Nigeria.