For the outgoing year, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves some plaudits not only for the reforms instituted across the education sector, but its unstinting commitment to quality education and a resolve to keep the sector on an upward trajectory. From an increase in budgetary allocation to the consolidation of Student Loan Scheme, to the effective handling of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other varsity-based unions’ issues, the Federal Government has demonstrated the capacity to rewrite the sector’s narrative. Though observers argue that more action is required as per school safety and security in the face of brazen kidnapping and abduction of pupils, it is not out of place to say the new year offers a glimpse of promise taking into account the catalogue of reforms last year. The Federal Government too should have a breather after it had been accused many times for paying lip service to education and welfare of university teachers. In this report, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE chronicles the events that largely shaped the sector, with a glimpse of what to expect in the new year from major stakeholders like Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) , Congress of University Academics (CONUA), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), and Child Protection Network (CPN) among others.
The outgone year was largely dominated by agitations by university unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), whose set in stone strategy, many observers reckon, is downing tools and embarking on industrial action to make the Federal Government accede to their demands.
It is trite to say the agitations and strike threats of varsity-based unions dominate the education space year in year out, but the cheery news that filtered in late last year, that the government had settled the contentious 2009 Agreement, may perhaps be the final swansong to the era of strike threats and welfare-driven agitations across the nation.
When the new ASUU helmsman, Prof. Chris Piwuna, assumed leadership of the union, he berated the Federal Government for being lassez faire on the 2009 Agreement. He harped on the delay in the release of the N150 billion revitalisation fund, despite the release of the N50 billion Earned Allowances last April.
Carrying on from where his predecessor, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke stopped, Piwuna stressed that a large number of issues still remain unattended to.
Piwuna highlighted issues still needing attention, including release of withheld three-and-half months salaries on account of the 2022 strike action; release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjunct appointments due to the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); and release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, among others.
But since the advent of the current administration, it has maintained a steely resolve to forestall disruptions to the academic calendar of universities. In a firm commitment to his pledge when he assumed office that there will be no more strikes and the insistence that “four years will be four years”, President Bola Tinubu ensured lecturers did not down tools despite nationwide protests and threats. He gave the Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa a tall order culminating in a series of dialogues and negotiations with the union.
Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector is a reflection of the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through huge and strategic investments in education, infrastructure and human capital development.
In a watershed moment on December 23,2025, the government and ASUU finally concluded the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, signalling the end of a long-running industrial relations crisis after over 16 years of stalled talks.
The agreement is expected to take effect from today January 1, 2026, with a review after three years.
Key provisions of the new agreement include a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff and significantly improved pension benefits.
Under the new pension structure, professors are to retire at the age of 70 on pensions equivalent to their full annual salaries, a long-standing demand of the union.The deal also introduces a revamped university funding model with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development.
In addition, it proposes the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research with a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
It also confirmed that there is stronger university autonomy and academic freedom from a core part of the agreement, alongside provisions for elected academic leadership at the level of deans and provosts, positions to be occupied strictly by professors.
The agreement also guarantees that no member of the union will be victimised for their role in the prolonged struggle.
Without the Student Loan Scheme, dropout rates in tertiary institutions would have surged, further worsening the socio-economic challenges of the nation. However, many students would continue to express gratitude to the administration of President Tinubu for the zero interest loans, which has saved many from leaving school abruptly.
Therefore, the scheme, under the aegis of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), remains a beam of hope; an initiative in tandem with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. For observers in the education space, it has revolutionised tertiary education in the country, while underlining the commitment of the President to open access to education.
Last year, the agency noted that the student loan scheme crossed one million applications on its official portal, making it one of the biggest uptake levels for a government-supported social scheme since the start of the present administration.
It said the milestone was achieved less than a year after the scheme’s launch on May 24, 2024. According to NELFUND, more than N116 billion has been disbursed to students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country, with over 600,000 students benefitting.
The disbursements include both tuition and upkeep allowances to ease learners’ burden.
NELFUND Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, attributed the success of the initiative to the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritises inclusive access to education.
“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it symbolises renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education.
“It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy design, and the collective effort of all stakeholders driving this transformative agenda,” he said.
NELFUND reaffirmed its commitment to improving access, transparency and efficiency in the loan process, pledging that every qualified Nigerian student — regardless of background or location — will be able to benefit from the scheme.
Dr. Alausa posited that the 2022 National Language Policy was responsible for abysmal performance in public examinations. He said it “destroyed” the education system, as pupils and students often advanced to higher classes without learning essential skills.
The minister pointed out that based on data and combined with real-life situations in the geopolitical zones, there is “overuse of mother tongue from Primary One to Primary Six, and even from JSS One to JSS Three”.
This led to the cancellation of the policy because the nation’s diversity requires a unified approach to language instruction, leading to the announcement of the English Language as the medium of instruction from the basic to tertiary level.
Expectedly, this generated a heated debate in the education space.
Experts, stakeholders and various schools of thought expressed fears that in the long run, it would create a cultural and identity crisis, affect cognitive development, lead to a disadvantage for non-English speaking pupils from rural areas, nullify “indigenising development”, among others.
Buoyed by the need to adapt learning needs of pupils to meet current realities, the Federal Government announced the introduction of a new curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education, which will be implemented at the commencement of the 2025/2026 academic session.
The curriculum, according to the Education Minister, is intended to emphasise skill-based learning such that Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) pupils pick at least one trade subject to enhance their practical skills.
A document developed by the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) revealed that the six practical skills available are Solar, Photovoltaic installation and maintenance, Fashion design and garment making, Livestock farming, Beauty and cosmetology, Computer hardware and GSM repairs, Horticulture and crop production.
A statement by the education ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, indicated that the review was conducted in collaboration with the NERDC, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other important stakeholders.
The statement noted that the new framework balances subject offerings with more practical learning.
The ministry said at the primary level, pupils in Primary 1-3 will offer 9-10 subjects, while those in Primary 4-6 will take 10-12 subjects.
For Junior Secondary School, they will take 12-14 subjects; Senior Secondary students will offer 8-9; and technical schools 9-11 subjects.
Last August, Dr. Alausa announced that from this year, all tertiary institutions in the country will run on mini-grids that will make them fully energy-sufficient.
He spoke at the inauguration of the newly built Olatunji Bello Auditorium, a 550-capacity multi-purpose hall donated to the Lagos State University (LASU), Epe campus, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Olatunji Bello.
“The President has committed that by this time next year, literally all tertiary institutions in the country will have mini-grids that will make them energy sufficient. We need this to unleash the capabilities of our youth in the area of research, technology, and everything they do,” he said.
Our expectations for the new year, by stakeholders
Nevertheless, critical stakeholders bare their minds on what they expect this year.
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) expects the Federal Government in 2026 to deepen and consolidate the reform trajectory already introduced, particularly policies that promote technological advancement, innovation, and digital capacity.
CONUA President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, in a chat with The Nation, cautioned against policy somersaults, adding that policies should not be abruptly discarded without proper evaluation. He noted that sustainable development thrives on continuity, periodic assessment, and incremental improvement, not constant reversals.
He said: “Many well-intentioned reforms fail in Nigeria not because they are inherently flawed, but because they are not allowed sufficient time for implementation, evaluation, and refinement.
“With specific regard to tertiary education and the university system, CONUA expects the Federal Government to conclude the ongoing renegotiation process promptly and move swiftly into faithful implementation of agreed outcomes. Academic staff require adequate motivation, stability and dignity to function optimally. Universities remain the backbone of national development, innovation, and human capital formation. Any nation that neglects the welfare of its academics undermines its own future. CONUA, therefore, looks forward to a 2026 where engagement replaces uncertainty, implementation replaces promises, and Nigeria’s university system is positioned to contribute meaningfully to national growth and global competitiveness.”
President National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria(NAPTAN), Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, in a telephone chat with The Nation, said: “Our expectation is to have a better learning environment for our children and to have a good understanding between the teachers and the government at all levels.
“Our hope is also to have enough teaching and learning materials and have complete security in our schools . Insecurity is one of the issues causing setbacks in our education. And we are also having a meeting with the Minister of Defence on January 14 to discuss thoroughly how to secure the lives of our children, our teachers and environment.
“And we also hope Mr. President will focus on his Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure education is given the attention needed in line with the agenda. We also hope that the budget for education will be completely released, these are our hopes and wishes.
“The focus of our meeting with the Defence Minister is to ensure our schools are well-secured . We know he has the interest of education at heart that is why we are meeting him. We want to know his plans towards securing the schools. The total security of schools: primary, post-primary and higher institutions are very important. We parents always have sleepless nights when bandits attack our schools. There is no way we can keep our children at home, we want them to be in school. We believe our meeting with him will give us 100 percent peace of mind that our children are in safe hands.”
In a statement, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, said : “Well, on the general overview of our expectation towards year 2026, one of the major key points is the issue of the budget.
“The percentage allocated to education is very, very low. It is a single digit percentage that is not even near half of the recommendation of UNESCO. So, we have watched the government and we have also tried as much as possible to reach out especially to the Minister of Education, on proper funding of education. Also there is a recent increment in the salary of lecturers which is by 40 percent and some others.
“We believe for all these things to be met, there is need for proper funding and the percentage on that budget cannot adequately accommodate.
“We hope that necessary actions will be taken and necessary corrections and amendments will be made on time to adjust the budget.
“Not just about the percentage, but proper implementation and release of this fund to critical agencies and bodies that need to run it and implement it.
“And regarding NELFUND, we hope there is more access, there is more inclusivity and a more smooth journey in terms of disbursement, accountability, follow-up and transparency of the whole process.
“So, we believe that as inflation reduces, the cost of food items will also reduce so that life can be easier for students in Nigeria, making them excel.”
Lagos State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN) Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin said standards and quality of education must be of best practices across the states of the federation.
She urged governors to prioritise quality and ensure schools, classrooms and other facilities are in good condition to make learning stress free.
“Personalised learning is moving from theory to standard practice. Schools today are moving toward teaching methods that focus on each student’s pace, interests, and goals.
“Supply of digitalised instructional materials. Teachers rely on digital tools to track how students are doing and make quick changes to their lessons when needed. When this approach works well, it helps close learning gaps and keeps students more involved in class.
“Though many educators have limited training in how to manage personalised instruction at scale. So, I expect professional development and curriculum alignment at all levels for teachers on how to make use of the tools for optimisation. Digital learning tools are opening new doors for students who once had limited access to education.
“I hope that all rural learners, working adults, and students with disabilities will be able to study at their own pace and connect with opportunities that were once out of reach.
“Education foundation systems are expected to give greater weight to critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. This trend moves schools away from rote learning. More focus will be on helping students apply knowledge to real-world situations. For educators, this shift means more project-based and inquiry-driven instruction. Teachers will assess how well students reason through problems, not just recall information.
“Teachers are expected to act more as facilitators than lecturers. Their role now involves coaching students to think critically, manage projects, and evaluate sources.
“Teachers will need to understand how to safeguard student information, use approved platforms, and model responsible digital citizenship. This will be part of every educator’s professional duty, not just an administrative requirement.
“In 2026, schools are expected to take further steps to close the curricula gaps which include more diverse voices, and learning environments designed for accessibility. Tools like assistive technology, flexible lesson plans, and teaching methods that reflect students’ diverse backgrounds helps every learner feel included.
“SBCPC – School based child protection committees across the schools through the community groups to support students outside the classroom. After-school activities, mentorship programmes, and career-focused initiatives are giving young people more ways to learn and grow beyond school hours.
“Mental health psychosocial support for teachers and students should be prioritised in 2026. Access to counselling and other therapy based services at no cost within the educational districts should be encouraged for children going through traumatic and stressful experiences.
“Family strengthening support should be encouraged for children in families in distressed situations and those who could not give basic supplies to their children for schooling,” she said.
ASUU UNILAG Chair, Prof. Idou Keinde, who was terse in his remarks, said he expects the Federal Government to firm up the 2009 Agreement and ensure implementation.
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