iDeemlawfulThe Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have unveiled a renegotiated agreement intended to resolve long-standing disputes within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The 2025 agreement marks the conclusion of a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU pact, which was originally due for reassessment in 2012. Several committees constituted by previous administrations and chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs were unable to produce a final agreement.
Progress was eventually recorded under the current administration, which inaugurated the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee in October 2024.
After about 14 months of deliberations, both parties reached an agreement centred on improved conditions of service, sustainable funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and broader reforms aimed at reversing sectoral decline, curbing brain drain and repositioning universities for national development.
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The new pact was formally presented on Monday, January 14, 2026, at the headquarters of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Abuja, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.
Speaking at the event, ASUU President Chris Piwuna expressed guarded optimism, stating, “We are optimistic that the government will implement this agreement in totality, but pessimism still exists because of our history.
“It is our belief that Dr. Tunji Alausa will be different, and that our union will not need to issue a strike threat before any part of this agreement is implemented. As you always say, you are open and accessible; ASUU is also open and accessible.”
Minister Alausa described the renegotiated agreement as a “decisive turning point” for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector and commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising quality education and safeguarding an uninterrupted academic calendar.
“This occasion represents far more than the presentation of a document; it symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” Alausa said.
The agreement effectively ends a 16-year stalemate and raises expectations that public universities will enjoy greater stability, allowing students and lecturers to concentrate on teaching, learning and research without repeated disruptions.
Below are key highlights of the new FG agreement with ASUU:
- Lecturers’ salaries to rise by 40%
According to the Minister of Education, a major provision of the agreement is a 40 per cent increase in the remuneration of university academic staff, aimed at improving welfare, boosting productivity and addressing brain drain.
- Salaries to be paid in two components
Under the revised structure, academic staff will receive pay through a blend of existing salary arrangements and a consolidated academic tools allowance, which together account for the 40 per cent increase.
He explained that remuneration would comprise two elements: the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).
The CATA is designed to cover essential academic expenses, including journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional body memberships and book allowances.
- New special allowance for professors, others
The minister disclosed that the agreement introduces, for the first time, a “professorial cadre allowance” for full-time professors and senior academic leaders.
Under this provision, full professors will receive N1.7 million annually, while those at the rank of Reader will earn N840,000 per year.
Alausa explained that the allowance recognises the heavy administrative, scholarly and research responsibilities of academics at that level and does not apply to part-time staff.
“For the first time, the FG has approved a new professorial cadre allowance that apply to senior academics at the level of full-time professors and leaders in our tertiary institutions.
- Allowance restricted to full-time professors, senior lecturers
Minister Alausa further clarified that the allowance is strictly for full-time academics, excluding part-time professors and academic leaders.
“Let me emphasise clearly that these allowances apply strictly to full-time and not part-time professors and leaders.
“This approval recognises the significant workload, administrative, scholarly and research responsibilities borne by academics at this level by virtue of their profession and positions as professors or leaders in our universities,” he said.
- Professors to retire on full annual salary
Under the new agreement, professors will now retire at age 70 with pensions equivalent to their full annual salary.
- 1% GDP funding for proposed National Research Council
The pact also proposes the establishment of a National Research Council (NRC), to be funded with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The council is expected to coordinate advanced research crucial to innovation and economic growth.
- Agreement effective from January
The agreement officially took effect on January 1, 2026, and is scheduled for review after three years.
In addition, the pact introduces a revised funding framework with dedicated provisions for rehabilitating laboratories, libraries and academic equipment.
JAC hails FG–ASUU agreement
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) congratulated ASUU on the signing of the agreement, describing it as a major milestone toward industrial harmony in the university system.
In a statement signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters A. Adeyemi and SSANU President and JAC Chairman Comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, the committee said the agreement signed on January 14, 2026, marked the conclusion of a negotiation process that had long appeared unattainable.
They praised ASUU for securing better working conditions for its members and urged the Federal Government to hasten similar renegotiations with NASU and SSANU, warning that delays after the ASUU deal could “invite chaos” and undermine the industrial peace maintained by non-teaching staff unions.
The JAC stressed that a prompt resolution of talks with NASU and SSANU would prevent a breakdown of labour harmony in the university system, urging the government “not to stir the hornet’s nest through any form of delay tactics.” “A stitch in time saves nine!” the statement concluded.