FG, ASUU Seal Deal, Approve 40% Pay Rise

The Federal Government has signed a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as a major step toward restoring stability, trust and quality in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Presenting the agreement in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the deal reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to accessible, quality and uninterrupted academic calendars.

According to Alausa, the President took personal responsibility for resolving long-standing disputes that had destabilised the university system for decades.

“For decades, unresolved remuneration concerns, welfare gaps, and recurring industrial disputes disrupted academic calendars, undermined staff morale, and threatened the future of our young people.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we deliberately chose dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetoric,” he said.

Alausa disclosed that a key provision of the agreement is a 40 per cent upward review of academic staff salaries, approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, effective January 1, 2026.

He explained that the increase is structured as a consolidated academic tools allowance, covering journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership and book allowances, which he described as essential for effective teaching and research.

The minister added that nine previously earned academic allowances have been restructured, made transparent and tied strictly to duties performed to promote productivity and accountability.

He also announced the introduction of a new professorial credit allowance, the first approved by the Federal Government. Under the scheme, professors will receive ₦1.8 million per annum (about ₦140,000 monthly), while academic readers will earn ₦840,000 per annum (₦70,000 monthly).

Alausa said implementation has already commenced, noting that a circular dated December 30, 2025, had been issued to ensure the agreement takes effect from January 1, 2026.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Pinuwa, said the agreement marked the conclusion of a renegotiation process initiated in 2017 after repeated delays following the 2009 agreement.

“As we are here with joy for a successful collective bargaining between ASUU and the federal government, we need to note that there are still pending issues, which are more internal.
This issue is dragging the progress and survival of the university system: the government’s persistent encroachment into the autonomy of the universities,” Pinuwa said.

He commended the renegotiation committee led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, the Minister of Education and President Tinubu for concluding the process, while stressing the need to fully respect university autonomy.