The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday unveiled a renegotiated 2025 agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes that have triggered repeated strikes and disruptions in Nigeria’s university system.
The deal concludes a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, which was due for revision in 2012 but stalled under several past administrations. The breakthrough followed the inauguration of a new renegotiation committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed in October 2024.
Key provisions of the agreement include a 40 per cent increase in the remuneration of academic staff in federal universities, effective January 1, 2026. The new pay structure combines the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary with a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to support research, publications, conferences, internet access and other scholarly activities.
The agreement also restructures nine earned academic allowances, linking payments strictly to duties performed, including postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical services, examinations and leadership roles. In addition, a new Professorial Cadre Allowance was approved, with professors to receive N1.74 million annually and readers N840,000.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the deal as a turning point for the sector, saying it reflected the Tinubu administration’s commitment to stable academic calendars and improved welfare for lecturers. He said the agreement marked “renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive shift” in managing university labour relations.
Alausa credited President Bola Tinubu with personally driving the process, noting that the administration chose dialogue over prolonged conflict. He assured that the agreement would be faithfully implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, welcomed the agreement but warned that deep-rooted challenges still threaten the sustainability of the university system. He cited weak university autonomy, poor accountability, inadequate research funding and government interference in governance as unresolved issues.
Piwuna said governing councils are frequently undermined, while vice-chancellor appointments are often politicised, eroding meritocracy and triggering internal crises. He also raised concerns over declining academic standards, especially in newly converted universities, and warned against improper promotion practices.
The union further cautioned that broader economic pressures—rising costs, insecurity, declining real wages and limited access to higher education—could undermine the gains of the agreement if left unaddressed.
While expressing cautious optimism, ASUU said it hoped the full implementation of the 2025 agreement would not require further strike action, urging the government to match commitments with concrete action.