The Federal Government has entered into a formal agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after an extensive 16-year negotiation process.
A key aspect of this new deal is the enhancement of the salary structure for academics at federal tertiary institutions, as validated by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Professors' remuneration will increase by 40 percent under this agreement, aimed at improving morale, facilitating service delivery, enhancing global competitiveness, and reducing the phenomenon of brain drain in the academic sector.
The revised salary framework will include the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) along with the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).
One noteworthy element of this agreement is the establishment of a new Professorial Cadre Allowance specifically for full-time professors and readers. Professors will be entitled to an annual allowance of N1.8 million (N140,000 monthly), whereas readers will receive an additional N840,000 per year (N70,000 monthly).
Additionally, the 40 percent salary increment will primarily manifest in the consolidated academic tools allowance, a unique provision for university faculty that encompasses support for journal publications, conference attendance, internet access, learned society memberships, and book allowances.
Furthermore, nine Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) have been redesigned to reflect specific duties carried out. These encompass allowances for tasks such as supervising postgraduate research, conducting fieldwork, clinical duties, examination moderation, and leadership roles. The government believes this restructuring will foster productivity, accountability, and fairness in the academic environment.
These allowances are not applicable to part-time faculty and are intended to streamline research coordination, support academic documentation, and enhance administrative effectiveness, encouraging senior lecturers to dedicate more time to teaching, mentoring, and innovation.
During a presentation in Abuja on January 14, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, characterized the newly renegotiated agreement as a historic development that signifies renewed confidence and a commitment to maintaining uninterrupted academic schedules within Nigerian universities.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) expressed their support for the agreement.
However, ASUU expressed concerns regarding potential financial mismanagement and governance issues at various universities across the nation.
JAC, NASU, and SSANU issued a warning that any delay in finalizing discussions with non-academic unions might destabilize the current state of industrial harmony in academic settings.
In a statement released on January 14, JAC labeled the agreement as a pivotal moment following challenging negotiations, emphasizing that dialogue is crucial for resolving labor conflicts in public universities.
The committee highlighted that the successes achieved in the ASUU negotiations would have little value if the Federal Government does not quickly address the ongoing negotiation of service conditions for NASU and SSANU, whose members provide essential administrative, technical, and support services across federal universities.
In a joint message from NASU's General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and JAC Chairman Mohammed Ibrahim, they emphasized the importance of a prompt conclusion to negotiations with NASU and SSANU to prevent disruptions to industrial peace in the academic system.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, raised concerns regarding governance issues during the unveiling of the 2025 agreement with the Federal Government on the same day.
He cautioned that such challenges undermine accountability, stability, and academic excellence. Piwuna noted that deficient governance frameworks continue to hinder the optimal use of resources in certain institutions.
While university autonomy is acknowledged in principle and somewhat established by law, its real-world application remains inadequate, leading to persistent external interference in university management.
He highlighted recurring problems such as arbitrary dissolutions of governing councils and interference in vice-chancellor appointments, undermining merit- based practices and institutional stability.
Piwuna further criticized the promotion policies in some newly established federal universities of education, claiming that they compromise established hiring standards for professorial positions.
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