Varsity Lecturers to Get 40% Pay Rise, New Allowances as ASUU Signs Fresh Deal with Federal Government

The Federal Government has approved a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff in federal universities following the signing of a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ending more than 16 years of stalled negotiations.

The agreement, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, also introduces improved pension benefits, a revised funding framework for universities, and a Professorial Head Allowance, which is being implemented for the first time.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the deal is aimed at addressing long-standing welfare concerns, stabilising the university system, and improving the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. He confirmed that the agreement will take effect from 1 January 2026.

Under the new terms, university lecturers will receive a 40 per cent upward review of emoluments. Professors will now retire at the age of 70 and receive pensions equivalent to their final annual salary. The agreement also establishes a new funding structure with dedicated allocations for research, laboratories, libraries, equipment, infrastructure development, and staff training.

A key provision is the planned establishment of a National Research Council, to be funded by at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to strengthen research, innovation, and development in universities.

Dr Alausa said the salary increase will be implemented through the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which covers expenses such as journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional memberships, and books. He noted that the allowance applies strictly to full-time senior academics, including professors and academic leaders, and not to part-time staff.

According to the minister, the structure of the allowance means a professor could earn an additional ₦1.8 million annually.

ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, described the agreement as the outcome of a prolonged renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU agreement, which was due for revision in 2012 but remained unimplemented for years.

He said several renegotiation committees set up between 2017 and 2022 failed to reach a consensus, until the current committee led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed concluded talks in December 2025.

Piwuna said the new agreement focuses on conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom, and systemic reforms aimed at reversing decay, curbing brain drain, and repositioning universities for national development.

However, ASUU raised concerns over persistent government interference in university governance, particularly the dissolution of governing councils and the appointment of vice-chancellors. The union also cited weak accountability structures and poor research funding as ongoing challenges.

While welcoming the inclusion of research funding in the new agreement, ASUU said the proposed National Research Council Bill must be expedited by the National Assembly to ensure sustained investment in research and development.

Meanwhile, academics and students have welcomed the agreement but called for sincerity and full implementation.

An academic at Benue State University, Prof Dagi Uzziah Dagi, said the salary increase is a positive step but warned that lasting stability would depend on consistent and transparent implementation, noting that past agreements failed due to poor execution.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also described the deal as a major development that could improve teaching, learning, and research. Its spokesperson, Comrade Adeyemi Samson, urged both the government and ASUU to honour their commitments and suggested stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent future delays.

Stakeholders agree that while the agreement marks a turning point in government–ASUU relations, its success will depend on good faith, accountability, and sustained dialogue.