FG, ASUU Agrees to end decades of disruptions in Nigerian Universities

In a bid  o foster credibility and accountability in Nigeria’s tertiary education , the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have sealed a far-reaching agreement aimed at improving lecturers’ welfare, ensuring industrial harmony and ending decades of disruptions in federal universities.

The 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who described the pact as a historic turning point that restores trust, dignity and confidence in the nation’s university system after years of strikes and instability.

"This is more than the unveiling of a document. It symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” Alausa said.

The minister credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with taking what he described as an unprecedented step by personally confronting and resolving a long-standing crisis that had crippled universities, disrupted academic calendars and dashed the hopes of millions of students.

“For the first time in our history, a sitting President confronted this challenge head-on and gave it the leadership attention it truly deserved,” he said, adding that the administration chose “dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetoric.”

A major highlight of the agreement is a 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of university academic staff, approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The new pay structure is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Under the revised framework, academic remuneration will consist of the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and an enhanced Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). The strengthened CATA is designed to support journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional memberships and book development—key tools for global academic competitiveness and curbing brain drain.

The agreement also restructures nine Earned Academic Allowances, which are now clearly defined, transparently earned and directly linked to duties performed. These include postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical responsibilities, examinations and academic leadership roles.