Federal government and ASUU are set to finalize new agreement on reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s public university system.
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are scheduled to sign a fresh agreement aimed at strengthening industrial harmony and improving the country’s public university system on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
According to official government circulars, the signing ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Abuja. The event will be presided over by Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.
Major Provisions of the Agreement
The new pact comes after extensive negotiations between the federal government and ASUU to resolve long-standing disputes that have frequently disrupted academic calendars in Nigeria’s public universities. The key elements of the agreement include:
40% salary increase for academic staff, a longstanding demand by ASUU.
Improved pension arrangements, including provisions that allow professors retiring at age 70 to receive pensions equivalent to their final annual salaries.
Establishment of a National Research Council funded with at least 1% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to support research activities.
Enhanced funding for libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development.
Provisions aimed at strengthening university autonomy and governance, including guidelines on the election and appointment of academic leaders.
Background and Significance
The agreement marks a significant milestone in attempts to resolve disputes that have plagued the university system for more than a decade. The original 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement remained a central source of tension, with repeated implementation delays leading to frequent strike actions by academic staff.
The renegotiated deal was concluded on 23 December 2025 after intensive talks between representatives of ASUU and government negotiation committees. It is expected to take effect from 1 January 2026 and is subject to periodic review, with an initial review slated after three years.
Officials say the agreement is part of the government’s broader strategy to foster industrial peace, improve teaching and learning conditions, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian universities. It also aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes education as a cornerstone of national development.
