By our Reporter
The federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a historic agreement that will see lecturers across Nigeria receive a 40% salary increase. The deal, which concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, also includes improved pension benefits, enhanced university funding, and stronger academic freedom.
Under the new arrangement, professors will receive a pension equivalent to their annual salary at retirement, while universities will benefit from dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. A proposed National Research Council (NRC) will fund research with at least 1% of Nigeria’s GDP.
The agreement also introduces elected academic leadership positions for Deans and Provosts, open only to professors, and guarantees no victimization for those involved in the negotiation process. The terms take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after three years.
ASUU has urged the government to implement the agreement promptly and extend negotiations to other university unions to ensure stability in the sector.
