By Abigeal Okedah and Nwafor Ifeakachi

​In a major step toward stabilizing higher education and preserving academic stability, the Enugu State Government has constituted a Joint Committee on the Implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

​The decision, communicated in a state document signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and dated October 6, 2026, follows a bilateral agreement reached between the Enugu State Government and ASUU-ESUT on August 20, 2026.

​The primary mandate of the newly established panel is to design and recommend a comprehensive, structured, transparent, and sustainable framework to guide the full rollout of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement within ESUT.

​According to state officials, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted academic activities and safeguarding the welfare of university staff.

​Under its defined terms of reference, the committee is tasked with: collaborating continuously to guarantee the smooth execution of all agreed items to prevent future disruptions to the academic calendar; conducting a comprehensive review of all outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and other staff-related financial arrears; formulating concrete recommendations on the necessary mechanisms required to fully execute the components of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement and overseeing the proper and timely remittance of third-party deductions.

​The Joint Committee brings together top government officials, university executives, and union leadership. ​The committee is chaired by the Honorable Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Dr. Felix Nnamani.

The ten-member panel includes:
​Dr. Felix Nnamani – Hon. Commissioner for Labour and Employment (Chairman)
​Okenwa Anthony C. – Accountant-General, Enugu State;
​Prof. Aloysius Okolie – Vice-Chancellor, ESUT; ​Chukwudi Fred Ezinwa – Special Senior Assistant (SPA) on Labour Union Matters and Association and Adenike Okebu – Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Revenue;

Other members are: ​Dr. Augustine Ojeh – Bursar, ESUT; ​Comrade Andrew C. Apeh – Chairman, ASUU-ESUT; ​Comrade Samuel Nneji – Representative, ASUU-ESUT;
​Comrade Obinna Nduagubam – Representative, ASUU-ESUT and ​Comrade Nneka Maduagwu – Representative, ASUU-ESUT.

​The formal inauguration of the Joint Committee took place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the Boardroom of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

​Following its inauguration, the committee has been given a 30-day timeline to submit its preliminary findings and recommendations directly to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. State leadership expressed confidence that the members will leverage their expertise to deliver a workable, lasting roadmap for the state’s university system.