The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have sealed a landmark 2025 agreement, ending a 16-year stalemate over the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU pact and setting the stage for improved welfare, funding, and stability in the nation’s university system.
The agreement was formally unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, who described the pact as a decisive turning point for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector and a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to quality, accessible, and uninterrupted university education.
Speaking at the unveiling, Alausa said the agreement symbolised renewed trust, restored confidence, and a durable foundation for industrial harmony in federal tertiary institutions, stressing that the Tinubu administration deliberately chose dialogue over discord and reform over delay.
A major highlight of the agreement is the approval of a 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of university academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, effective from January 1, 2026, following approval by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
Under the new structure, academic salaries will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). The 40 per cent review will be largely represented through CATA, which is specific to university academic staff and covers essential academic tools such as journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership, and book allowances.
“First, the agreement provides for the review of the remuneration package of academic staff in Federal Tertiary Institutions, as approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), with effect from 1st January 2026.
“Key components of this Agreement include: Emolument, The Emolument of University Academic be reviewed upward by 40% to enhance morale, improve quality of service delivery and global competitiveness of Nigerian Tertiary Educational institutions, while reversing Brain Drain.
“Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA)
The Salary Structure will comprise CONUASS and CATA. The 40% review will be represented by consolidated academic tools allowance and is peculiar to university academic staff.
“The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowances cover journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership, and book allowances, which are critical tools required for effective teaching, research, and global academic competitiveness,” the minister said.
The agreement also restructures Earned Academic Allowances, now clearly defined into nine components that are transparently earned and tied strictly to duties performed. These include enhanced provisions for postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, moderation, examination responsibilities, and leadership roles, a move aimed at promoting productivity, accountability, and fairness within the system.
In a new intervention, the Federal Government approved a new Professorial Cadre Allowance for full-time Professors and Readers in Nigerian universities. Under the arrangement, Professors will receive N1.74 million per annum, equivalent to N140,000 monthly, while Readers will earn N840,000 per annum, or N70,000 monthly.
“This approval recognizes the significant workload, administrative, scholarly, and research responsibilities borne by academics at these levels by virtue of their positions.The allowance is structured as follows: N1,740,000 per annum, equivalent to N140,000 per month, for Professors; and
N840,000 per annum, equivalent to N70,000 per month.”
According to the Minister, the allowance recognises the significant academic, administrative, and research responsibilities borne by senior academics and is designed to support research coordination, academic documentation, correspondence, and administrative efficiency.
“This intervention is not cosmetic. It is structural, practical, and transformative,” Alausa said.
He added that the agreement was negotiated transparently and approved strictly in line with established government procedures.
ASUU, in its remarks at the presentation of the renegotiated agreement, noted that the deal was reached 16 years after the signing of the 2009 agreement, which was due for renegotiation in 2012 but suffered prolonged delays due to what the union described as lack of sincerity by previous administrations.
The union explained that the renegotiation process, initiated in 2017, went through several committees under past governments without success until the current administration inaugurated the Yayale Ahmed-led Renegotiation Committee in October 2024.
An agreement was reached about 14 months later.
ASUU commended President Tinubu, the Minister of Education, and members of the renegotiation team for their commitment, while singling out the committee chairman, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, for his behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure a successful outcome.
Beyond welfare improvements, the 2025 agreement addresses broader systemic issues, including university funding, autonomy, academic freedom, and research development. ASUU noted that the pact includes provisions for strengthening research and development through the proposed National Research Council Bill, which seeks to allocate at least one per cent of GDP to research, innovation, and development.
The union also raised concerns about persistent government interference in university autonomy, politicisation of governing councils, and irregularities in the appointment of vice-chancellors, warning that such practices undermine meritocracy and institutional stability.
“As we are here with joy for a successful collective bargaining between ASUU and the FG, we need to note that there are still pending issues, which are more of internal, that is dragging the progress and survival of the university system: government persistent encroachment into the Autonomy of the universities.
“University autonomy is universally recognised as a cornerstone of a functional higher education system. In Nigeria, although university autonomy is recognised in principle and partially entrenched in law, its practical implementation remains weak,” he said.
