The Federal Government has described its newly renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a landmark achievement aimed at ending prolonged industrial disputes and improving the quality of higher education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the presentation of the agreement in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the deal underscored President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to ensure stable academic calendars and quality learning outcomes.
He said the President personally led efforts to resolve long-standing issues that had disrupted the university system for decades.
According to the minister, the agreement provides for a 40 per cent upward review of the remuneration of academic staff in federal universities, effective from January 1, 2026, following approval by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
The salary adjustment, he explained, is captured through a consolidated academic tools allowance designed to support teaching, research and global academic competitiveness. The allowance covers expenses related to research publications, conferences, internet services, professional memberships and academic materials.
Dr Alausa said nine previously fragmented academic allowances had also been streamlined, clarified and linked strictly to assigned duties to promote fairness and efficiency.
He further announced the introduction of a new professorial credit allowance for full-time professors and academic readers. Under the scheme, professors will earn an additional N1.8 million annually, while academic readers will receive N840,000 per year, to support research coordination and administrative responsibilities.
The minister confirmed that implementation of the agreement had commenced, adding that a circular dated December 30, 2025, had been issued to ensure the revised wages took effect from January 2026.
In his remarks, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Pinuwa, said the agreement marked the conclusion of a renegotiation process that began in 2017 after several failed attempts under previous administrations.
He said the current agreement addressed conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and broader reforms aimed at reversing decay in the university system and reducing brain drain.
While welcoming the successful conclusion of negotiations, Pinuwa warned that unresolved issues remained, particularly persistent government encroachment on university autonomy.
“University autonomy is a universally recognised pillar of a functional higher education system,” he said, adding that although recognised in law, its practical implementation in Nigeria remained weak.
