The Federal Government on Wednesday formally signed and unveiled the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a move expected to bring lasting industrial stability to Nigeria’s university system, bringing excitement in public university system.
The agreement-signing ceremony, described by stakeholders as a symbolic end to a prolonged struggle, was held at the auditorium of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The event drew top government officials, vice-chancellors, former ASUU presidents and union leaders, led by the current ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.
The pact comes 16 years after the last agreement was executed in 2009, with both parties reaching consensus in December 2025.
Key provisions of the agreement include a 40 per cent upward review of university academics’ emoluments aimed at boosting morale, improving service delivery, enhancing global competitiveness and reversing brain drain. The new salary structure will take effect from January 1, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, assured that the Federal Government would faithfully implement all aspects of the agreement in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He praised Yayale Ahmed, chairman of the renegotiation committee, and members of the committee for their dedication to the reform of tertiary education.
“This agreement ushers in a new era of stability, dignity, and excellence for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. It restores confidence to our lecturers, predictability to academic calendars, and hope to millions of students and parents across the country,” he said.
Alausa explained that the 2025 FGN–ASUU Agreement was negotiated transparently and approved strictly in accordance with established government procedures.
According to him, the agreement provides for a review of remuneration for academic staff in Federal Tertiary Institutions, as approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), with effect from January 1, 2026.
He said: “Key components of this Agreement include: the Emolument of University Academic be reviewed upward by 40% to enhance morale, improve quality of service delivery and global competitiveness of Nigerian Tertiary Educational institutions, while reversing Brain Drain.
“Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). The Salary Structure will comprise CONUASS and CATA.
“The 40% review will be represented by consolidated academic tools allowance and is peculiar to university academic staff.
“The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowances cover journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership, and book allowances, which are critical tools required for effective teaching, research, and global academic competitiveness.
“Earned Academic Allowances: These allowances, NINE (9) in number, are now clearly structured, transparently earned, and strictly tied to duties performed, thereby promoting productivity, accountability, and fairness.
“This group of allowances also consists of enhanced provisions for postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, moderation, examination responsibilities, and leadership roles within the tertiary education system,” the Minister stated.
He further disclosed that President Tinubu had approved new allowances for senior academics at the rank of Professors and Readers.
Under the newly introduced allowance, Professors will earn ₦1,740,000 annually, equivalent to ₦140,000 monthly, while Readers will receive ₦840,000 annually, equivalent to ₦70,000 monthly.
Tagged the ‘Professorial Cadre Allowance’, Alausa said the initiative is intended to support research coordination, academic documentation, correspondence and administrative efficiency, enabling senior academics to concentrate more on teaching, innovation, mentorship and global knowledge production.
He emphasised that the allowance directly addresses the operational realities faced by senior academics.
“For the first time, the Federal Government has approved a new Professorial Cadre Allowance. This allowance applies to senior academics at the level of full-time Professors and Readers in our tertiary institutions.
“Let me emphasise clearly that this allowance applies strictly to full-time, and not part-time, professors and readers.
“This approval recognises the significant workload, administrative, scholarly, and research responsibilities borne by academics at these levels by virtue of their positions. The allowance is structured as follows: N1,740,000 per annum — equivalent to N140,000 per month — for Professors; andN840,000 per annum — equivalent to N70,000 per month — for Readers.
This intervention is not cosmetic. It is structural, practical, and transformative,” Alausa stated.
He added that with the support and guidance of President Tinubu, the government had resolved what was long regarded as an intractable challenge, describing the agreement as a major turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The Minister noted that years of unresolved welfare issues and recurring industrial actions had disrupted academic calendars and weakened staff morale, stressing that the new agreement reflects the administration’s commitment to uninterrupted learning for Nigerian students.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, described the unveiling of the agreement as more than the end of negotiations.
“That is why this agreement carries a deeper significance. It represents a shared resolve to break with the past, to replace confrontation with collaboration, and to anchor engagement on trust rather than suspicion,” she said.
In his remarks, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna commended the Education Minister, his team, and the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee for their efforts.
He disclosed that the Tinubu administration inaugurated the renegotiation committee in October 2024, adding that the agreement was concluded about 14 months later.
Piwuna said the deal addresses conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and broader systemic reforms aimed at reversing decay, curbing brain drain and repositioning universities for national development.
However, he cautioned the Federal Government against failing to implement the agreement, warning that ASUU should not be pushed to issue strike notices over non-compliance.
He also urged university managements to ensure transparent and prudent use of funds secured through the union’s prolonged struggle.
The ASUU President accused some vice-chancellors of financial mismanagement and warned that the union would hold the chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors accountable.
“Across our universities, there are repeated documented instances where vice chancellors (VCs) have been accused of mismanaging public resources, ranging from alleged corruption and contract irregularities to financial recklessness.
“These cases are not isolated anecdotes but mirror deeper governance weaknesses in the sector, where autonomy, accountability, and administrative culture intersect with personal conduct and institutional oversight.
“Our universities are now run by consultants! It has become a clean way of ‘cleansing’ funds fought for by our Union. The federal ministry is not innocent of the ‘Consultancy Syndrome’ in government cycles.
“Unfortunately, many councils are themselves politicised and compromised, making them ineffective watchdogs. The councils need to be seen performing their responsibility as watchdogs,” he stated.
