The Federal Government has reached a landmark agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), bringing an end to the long-running renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement and paving the way for improved welfare across Nigeria’s public universities.
Central to the agreement is a 40 percent increase in lecturers’ salaries nationwide, alongside enhanced pension benefits designed to strengthen post-retirement security for academic staff. Under the new framework, professors are expected to receive pensions equivalent to their final annual salaries upon retirement, a move widely seen as a boost to morale within the university system.
Beyond remuneration, the agreement introduces far-reaching reforms aimed at revitalizing tertiary education. Universities will receive dedicated funding for research, libraries, laboratories, modern equipment, and staff development, addressing long-standing infrastructure and capacity gaps. A proposed National Research Council (NRC) is also expected to be established to drive innovation, with a commitment to fund research at a minimum of 1 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In a bid to strengthen academic autonomy and governance, the deal provides for elected academic leadership positions, including Deans and Provosts, restricted to professors. It also includes assurances against victimization of union members and stakeholders involved in the negotiation process.
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The new terms are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, with a comprehensive review planned after three years. ASUU has welcomed the outcome and urged the Federal Government to ensure timely implementation while extending similar negotiations to other university-based unions to guarantee lasting stability in the education sector.