Federal Government and ASUU Finalize Renegotiated Agreement, Introducing 40% Pay Review and New Professorial Allowance
The Federal Government has formally signed a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a pivotal step toward stabilizing and improving Nigeria’s public university system. This resolution concludes decades of protracted disputes over remuneration and welfare that have led to recurrent industrial actions and significant academic disruptions.
According to the government, President Bola Tinubu took personal ownership of the process to resolve these long-standing issues. A central provision of the agreement is a comprehensive review of the remuneration package for academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and effective from January 1, 2026. Salaries for university academic staff have been increased by 40%, a measure intended to boost morale, performance, and global competitiveness. This increase is implemented through a consolidated academic tools allowance, unique to university staff and integrated into the salary structure, covering expenses for research, publications, and professional development.
The agreement also introduces a first-of-its-kind professorial credit allowance, strictly for full-time professors and academic readers in recognition of their extensive responsibilities. Professors will receive an additional N1.8 million annually, while academic readers will receive N840,000 per annum. This allowance is designed to support research coordination and administrative efficiency, freeing senior academics to focus on teaching and innovation. Furthermore, nine previously earned academic allowances have been clearly structured and tied to specific duties to promote productivity and accountability.
The implementation of the wage component has already commenced, with the relevant commission issuing a directive for its full execution. This agreement, the result of a renegotiation process that began in 2017, represents a critical investment in education, akin to how the FG budgets N6.04 trillion for infrastructure or how the Kwara Govt achieves milestones in local development. It aims to prevent the cycle of disruption that has, much like certain court activities, periodically halted progress within the academic sector.
