The federal government has approved a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff in federal universities, sealing a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after more than 16 years of stalled negotiations.
The deal, unveiled in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, includes enhanced pensions, a redesigned funding framework, and the introduction of a Professorial Head Allowance — the first of its kind.
Alausa said the agreement takes effect from January 1, 2026, and is designed to stabilise the university system, improve welfare, and halt the persistent disruption of academic calendars.
“For the first time in the history of this country, a sitting president took full control, full ownership of this long-standing challenge that confronted the educational system,” he said.
The minister said professors will now retire at 70 with pensions equivalent to their final annual salary. A National Research Council will also be established with statutory funding of at least one per cent of the GDP to support research, innovation, and development.
Alausa explained that the 40 per cent pay rise will be captured under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, covering journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional membership, and book allowances.
He added that the new structure provides an additional N1.8 million per professor annually, describing it as “structural, practical, and transformative.”
The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as “unwavering commitment” to resolving the prolonged dispute, saying the new framework would “strengthen our tertiary educational institutions, inspire our academics and secure the future of our nation.”
ASUU reacts
ASUU president Chris Piwuna welcomed the agreement, saying it brings to an end a protracted renegotiation process that started in 2017.
“The 2009 agreement was due for renegotiation in 2012, but it dragged on due to the poverty of sincerity in government,” he said.
Piwuna traced the long timeline of failed renegotiation committees — from Wale Babalakin in 2017 to Munzali Jibrin in 2021, and Nimi Briggs in 2022 — until the Yayale Ahmed-led team achieved a breakthrough in 2025.
He said the new agreement addresses funding, conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, and systemic reforms aimed at reversing decay and curbing brain drain.
But he warned that internal governance and autonomy issues remain unresolved.
“In practice, councils are often subordinated to the whims of government authorities… preferred candidates were imposed despite not emerging as the best-ranked,” he said.
Piwuna also criticised corruption, weak oversight, and what he called the “consultancy syndrome” in universities.
Experts, students welcome deal but demand sincerity
Education analysts and students described the agreement as a major milestone but urged sincerity and full implementation to avoid a repeat of past failures.
Prof Dagi Uzziah Dagi of MOAUM said the 40 per cent pay rise is “significant and welcome” but warned that “it may not completely end the industrial relations crisis unless it is fully implemented in good faith.”
NANS spokesperson Adeyemi Samson said the deal could stabilise the sector and improve teaching and research but insisted on transparency and stronger oversight.
“Each party should fulfil their part,” he said, recommending that any future agreement should include penalties for non-compliance by either side.