FG, ASUU Strike Deal to End Era of Recurrent Varsity Shutdowns
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have concluded a historic agreement expected to significantly improve the welfare of lecturers and restore lasting stability to Nigeria’s public university system after years of repeated industrial actions.
The comprehensive agreement, tagged the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement, was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa. He described the pact as a major milestone that could rebuild trust and confidence in the country’s tertiary education sector.
Dr Alausa said the agreement marks a clear departure from prolonged disputes that often disrupted academic calendars and eroded the quality of university education. He attributed the breakthrough to the political will and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration opted for sustained engagement and reform driven dialogue rather than confrontation.
A key feature of the agreement is the approval of a 40 per cent salary increase for university lecturers, endorsed by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The revised pay structure is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, lecturers’ earnings will be structuregd around the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary, complemented by an enhanced Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance. The improved allowance is designed to support research, journal publications, conference attendance, internet access, professional memberships and book development, with the aim of boosting global competitiveness and reducing the migration of academic talent.
The agreement also provides for the restructuring of nine Earned Academic Allowances, now clearly defined and directly linked to measurable academic responsibilities such as postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, examinations and leadership roles within the university system.
In another significant development, the Federal Government approved a Professorial Cadre Allowance for full time Professors and Readers. Under this provision, Professors will receive N1.74 million annually, translating to N140,000 per month, while Readers will earn N840,000 annually or N70,000 monthly.
According to Dr Alausa, the allowance is intended to recognise the academic, research and administrative roles of senior academics, while strengthening mentorship, documentation and research coordination across universities.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the agreement in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring that continuous engagement with key stakeholders would be sustained.
He also praised members of the negotiating teams from both sides, led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed for the Federal Government and Professor Pius Piwuna for ASUU, as well as the immediate past ASUU leadership under Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, for laying the foundation for the agreement.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the agreement will usher in a new era of stability, restore certainty to academic calendars and renew confidence among students, parents and university staff nationwide.
With the agreement now in place, many Nigerians are hopeful that the long history of prolonged university shutdowns is drawing to a close, paving the way for improved productivity and a stronger global standing for the nation’s higher education system.
