For years, Nigerian universities were often defined by uncertainty — semesters cut short, calendars disrupted and students sent home as industrial actions became a recurring feature of academic life.
But according to Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, that pattern has begun to change.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, Olusegun claimed that industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has significantly reduced since the commencement of the Renewed Hope administration in 2023.
He stated that the union has embarked on strike only once within the period, describing it as a nine-day warning strike rather than a prolonged shutdown of academic activities.
Olusegun attributed the development to what he called deliberate and targeted government interventions in the education sector, arguing that sustained engagement had helped prevent the frequent disruptions experienced in previous years.
According to him, the situation marks a clear departure from past administrations, when recurring strikes often stalled academic progress and prolonged students’ time in school.
While debates continue over funding and reforms in the university system, the presidential aide maintained that the reduced incidence of strikes reflects a new approach to labour relations under the current government.
For many students and parents, he suggested, the stability — even if gradual — represents a shift toward predictability in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
