In a landmark development aimed at halting a crisis that has plagued Nigeria's tertiary education for nearly two decades, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have inked a comprehensive new agreement. This pact, signed to replace the outdated 2009 agreement, seeks to finally address the root causes of repeated industrial actions, chronic underfunding, and deteriorating staff welfare that have destabilised universities.
Ending a Protracted Struggle
The new agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, culminates 17 years of friction marked by eight major strikes totalling roughly 1,200 days. These disruptions severely impacted academic calendars, contributed to a significant brain drain of talented academics, and disadvantaged millions of Nigerian students. The 35-page document is structured into six chapters, focusing on critical areas like conditions of service, university funding, autonomy, and academic freedom.
Core Financial and Welfare Provisions
The heart of the agreement lies in substantial improvements to remuneration and working conditions for university lecturers. A major highlight is the provision for an upward salary review of approximately 40 per cent for academic staff. Furthermore, a new annual allowance structure has been established, with professors entitled to N1.74 million per year, while Readers on specific salary scales will receive N840,000 annually.
The deal also comprehensively outlines nine distinct types of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). These include allowances for postgraduate supervision, teaching practice, external examination roles, and excess workload. Other notable non-salary benefits secured include enhanced leave provisions: six months of maternity leave for female staff and two weeks of paternity leave for male staff. The retirement age for professors is now fixed at 70 years, with pensions calculated at 100% of their final annual salary.
Funding, Autonomy, and Future Safeguards
Beyond immediate staff welfare, the agreement introduces mechanisms for systemic change. To address infrastructural decay, the Federal Government will provide a N30 billion Stabilisation and Restoration Fund, disbursed in three equal annual instalments of N10 billion from 2026 to 2028. In a significant move for research, a National Research Council Bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly, proposing to dedicate at least one per cent of Nigeria's GDP to fund research and innovation.
To strengthen university autonomy, the pact mandates a review of five key laws considered restrictive. These include the Acts establishing JAMB, NUC, TETFund, and others. This review process will be initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with ASUU. The agreement maintains the government's commitment to fund staff primary schools and the capital costs of secondary schools, as earlier stipulated.
While this agreement signals a hopeful new chapter, its successful implementation and the inclusion of state-owned universities remain crucial tests for restoring lasting stability and quality to Nigeria's higher education sector.
