ASUU, FG Reach New Agreement, Approve 40% Salary Increase from 2026

ASUU, FG Reach New Agreement, Approve 40% Salary Increase from 2026

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have concluded negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, with the new deal scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

ASUU disclosed this in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, announcing that the agreement was finalised on December 23, 2025, after prolonged negotiations. According to the union, the agreement will be reviewed every three years.

The renegotiated agreement places strong emphasis on improved welfare for university lecturers and enhanced funding for public universities. Key provisions include a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff and significantly improved pension benefits.

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Under the new terms, professors will earn pensions equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the age of 70, a move ASUU described as a major boost to post-service welfare in the university system.

The agreement also introduces a new funding framework for public universities, with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. A National Research Council is to be established to drive research and innovation, with funding pegged at a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Other provisions include strengthened university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as deans and provosts restricted to professors, and assurances that no academic staff will be victimised for participating in past industrial actions.

ASUU urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt and faithful implementation of the agreement, while also calling for the extension of similar negotiations to other university-based unions in order to promote lasting stability in Nigeria’s university system.

ASUU, FG Reach New Agreement, Approve 40% Salary Increase from 2026