KEY POINTS

• Federal Government and ASUU conclude renegotiation of the 2009 pact after 16 years

• Academic staff to receive a 40% salary review effective January 2026

• New allowances and funding commitments target stability and reduced strikes

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, have signed a sweeping 2025 agreement that brings to a close a 16-year stalemate over the renegotiation of the 2009 education pact.

The deal, unveiled Wednesday in Abuja, is expected to ease labour tensions and restore stability to the country’s public university system.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the agreement with ASUU as a turning point for tertiary education, saying it reflects the administration’s decision to prioritise dialogue and reform over prolonged disputes.

He said the pact rebuilds trust between government and ASUU while laying the groundwork for uninterrupted learning across federal universities.

Alausa noted that the renegotiation had lingered under successive governments despite being due for review as far back as 2012. He credited sustained engagement under the current administration for breaking the impasse.

40% Pay Review and New Allowances

A 40% pay increase for ASUU at federal tertiary institutions is a key part of the agreement. The National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission approved the raise, which will start on January 1, 2026.

The new framework will include the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and a new version of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance as part of the pay. A lot of the increase is built into the tools allowance, which helps with things like publishing journals, going to conferences, getting online, joining professional organizations, and buying books for teaching and research.

Earned Academic Allowances have also been divided into nine clear parts that are directly related to the work done. These include supervising graduate students, doing fieldwork, taking care of patients, taking tests, and being a leader. The goal is to make people more responsible and productive.

The government also approved a Professorial Cadre Allowance, introducing additional annual payments of N1.74 million for professors and N840,000 for readers. Officials say the allowance recognises the academic and administrative workload carried by senior scholars.