The federal government of Nigeria, on Wednesday, signed a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The signed agreement follows months of fresh negotiations between the government and officials of the academic union.
As earlier reported by Naijaonpoint, the signing ceremony was witnessed by top government officials and other dignitaries, including the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, as well as ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.
The new agreement, signed at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja, is aimed at improving the quality of the university education system and ensuring stability in the sector.
According to the Minister of Education, the signed agreement is expected to end decades of disruptions in federal universities following strikes by lecturers.
Below are major highlights of the renegotiated agreement between the federal government and ASUU as made known by the Minister of Education.
– 40% salary increase for academic staff.
– Improved pension benefits: Professors to earn pension equivalent to their annual salary at retirement (age 70)
– Better university funding model with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, labs, equipment, and staff development
– Proposed National Research Council (NRC) to fund research with at least 1% of Nigeria’s GDP
– Stronger university autonomy and academic freedom
– Elected academic leadership (Deans/Provosts), with only professors eligible
– No victimization of anyone involved in the struggle during the course of drafting the new agreement.
– Agreement to take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after 3 years.