The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday unveiled a renegotiated agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, resulting in incessant strikes and closure of universities.
The 2025 agreement is the conclusion of a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 FG–ASUU pact, which was due for revision in 2012.
Several committees set up under past administrations chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs failed to deliver a final agreement.
The breakthrough came under the current administration, which inaugurated the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee in October 2024.
An agreement was reached about 14 months later, focusing on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and broader reforms to reverse sectoral decay, curb brain drain and reposition universities for national development.
A major provision of the agreement is the upward review of the remuneration of academic staff in federal universities by 40 per cent, with effect from January 1, 2026.
Under the new structure, salaries will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which accounts for the 40 per cent increment.
