The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have signed a landmark agreement aimed at ending the long-standing crises in Nigeria’s public universities.
The renegotiated 2025 agreement was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, concluding a process that began in 2017 to review the outdated 2009 FG-ASUU pact.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the deal, reached under the Yayale Ahmed-led committee inaugurated in October 2024, marks a “decisive turning point” for the tertiary education sector.
He credited President Bola Tinubu with direct involvement, stating, “for the first time in the history of our country, a sitting President took full ownership of this long-standing challenge.”
A key provision is a 40% review of academic staff remuneration, effective January 1, 2026. This increase will be implemented through a new Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance covering research expenses like journal publications and conference participation.
The agreement also introduces a new Professorial Cadre Allowance. Professors will receive ₦1.74 million per annum (₦140,000 monthly), while Readers will get ₦840,000 per annum (₦70,000 monthly).
Alausa stated that nine earned academic allowances have been restructured to ensure transparency and will be strictly tied to specific duties like postgraduate supervision and examinations.
The minister described the pact as “structural, practical, and transformative,” ushering in “a new era of stability, dignity, and excellence.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to faithful implementation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The agreement focuses on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, and broader reforms to curb brain drain and reposition universities for national development.
