In a landmark move to redefine the future of Nigeria’s tertiary education, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday reached an agreement that promised improved welfare for lecturers, industrial harmony, and uninterrupted academic calendars across federal universities.
Unveiling the agreement in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the pact as a historic turning point that is expected to restore trust, dignity and confidence in the nation’s university system after decades of strikes and instability.
This is just as other stakeholders in the sector, such as the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN and the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, commended the deal but with some reservations.
Speaking on the occasion, Alausa said: “This is more than the unveiling of a document, it symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.”
He credited President Bola Tinubu for taking what he described as an unprecedented step by personally confronting and resolving a long-standing crisis that had crippled universities, disrupted academic calendars and dimmed the hopes of millions of students.
“For the first time in our history, a sitting President confronted this challenge head-on and gave it the leadership attention it truly deserved,” the minister said, stressing that the administration chose “dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetoric.”
Central to the agreement is a 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of university academic staff, approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, and scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Under the new structure, academic remuneration will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary, CONUASS, and a strengthened Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, designed to support journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional memberships and book development, key tools for global academic competitiveness and the fight against brain drain.
The agreement also restructured nine earned academic allowances, now clearly defined, transparently earned and directly tied to duties performed, including post-graduate supervision, field work, clinical responsibilities, examinations and leadership roles.
In a first for Nigeria’s university system, the Federal Government approved a new professorial cadre allowance for full-time professors and readers, acknowledging their heavy academic, administrative and research responsibilities
Under the scheme, professors will receive N1.74 million annually (N140,000 monthly), while readers will earn N840,000 annually (N70,000 monthly) as allowances in that regard.
According to Alausa, the allowance is designed to boost research coordination, academic documentation and administrative efficiency, enabling senior academics to focus more on teaching, mentorship and innovation.
“This intervention is not cosmetic,” the minister emphasised, adding that it is structural, practical and transformative.
Alausa assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to faithful implementation of the agreement under the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising continuous engagement and sustained reforms.
The agreement, stakeholders believe, will usher in a new era of stability and excellence for Nigerian universities, restoring predictability to academic calendars and hope to students and parents nationwide.
The minister also commended members of both negotiating teams, led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed for government and Professor Chris Piwuna for ASUU, as well as the immediate past ASUU leadership under Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, for laying the groundwork for the breakthrough.
“History will be remembered today not just as an unveiling ceremony but as the day Nigeria chose dialogue, transparency and strong presidential commitment as the pathway to resolving long-standing governance challenges,” the minister added.
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