The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally signed a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking the end of months of renewed discussions between both parties.
The signing ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja, was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; and the ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.
The new pact is designed to strengthen the quality of university education in Nigeria and promote lasting stability in the tertiary education sector. According to the Minister of Education, the agreement is expected to put an end to the long-standing cycle of disruptions in federal universities caused by repeated industrial actions.
Below are the major takeaways from the renegotiated agreement as outlined by the Minister:
- A 40 percent increase in salaries for academic staff
- Enhanced pension structure, with retired professors to earn pensions equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at age 70
- A revamped funding framework for universities, with specific allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development
- Establishment of a National Research Council (NRC) to fund research, with at least 1 percent of Nigeria’s GDP dedicated to it
- Greater university autonomy and strengthened academic freedom
- Academic leadership positions such as Deans and Provosts to be filled through elections, limited to professors
- Assurance that no individual involved in the struggle leading to the agreement will face victimization
- Implementation of the agreement to commence on January 1, 2026, with a review scheduled after three years
The agreement is widely seen as a significant step toward resolving persistent issues in Nigeria’s university system.