The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have formally unveiled a fresh agreement designed to put an end to prolonged disputes that have repeatedly crippled Nigeria’s university system through strikes and campus shutdowns.
The 2025 pact concludes a renegotiation process that dates back to 2017, when efforts began to review the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, originally scheduled for revision in 2012. Several attempts under past administrations, led by committees chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs, failed to produce a final outcome.
Progress was achieved under the current administration following the inauguration of a renegotiation committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed in October 2024. After about 14 months of deliberations, both parties reached a consensus aimed at addressing deep-rooted challenges in the sector. The new agreement centres on improved conditions of service, increased funding, enhanced university autonomy, protection of academic freedom and wide-ranging reforms to tackle decay in the system, stem brain drain and reposition universities for national development.
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A key highlight of the deal is a 40 per cent increase in the salaries of academic staff in federal universities, effective January 1, 2026. Under the revised structure, remuneration will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary alongside a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which accounts for the pay rise.
The tools allowance is intended to support essential academic work, including research, journal publications, conference attendance, internet services, professional memberships and book purchases, with the aim of boosting productivity and retaining talent. The agreement also reviews nine earned academic allowances, linking them strictly to duties performed to ensure transparency and fairness. These cover areas such as postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, examinations and leadership responsibilities.
In addition, the Federal Government has approved a Professorial Cadre Allowance for senior academics for the first time. Under this initiative, full professors will receive N1.74 million annually, while readers will earn N840,000 per year. The government described the move as a structural reform to recognise experience, uphold dignity and strengthen the academic profession. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the agreement signalled the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to ensure stable academic calendars and improved welfare for lecturers.
According to him, the deal represents more than a signed document, describing it as a restoration of trust and a major turning point for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He noted that President Tinubu personally championed the process, giving unprecedented attention to resolving the long-standing crisis. Alausa said years of unresolved welfare issues had fuelled repeated industrial actions that disrupted students’ education, but stressed that the present administration opted for dialogue and reform over confrontation.
He described the new allowances, particularly the Professorial Cadre Allowance, as practical and transformative, not cosmetic. The minister added that the agreement ushers in a new era of stability, dignity and excellence for Nigerian universities. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to full implementation under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Alausa thanked both government and ASUU negotiating teams for resolving what he called a two-decade-old challenge.
He concluded that the day would be remembered as a moment Nigeria chose dialogue, transparency and strong leadership to overcome long-standing governance issues and secure sustainable progress in the education sector.
