The Federal Government has signed a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), aimed at restoring stability, trust and quality in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Presenting the agreement in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the development as a major turning point in addressing long-standing challenges that have plagued the university system.
Alausa said the agreement reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to accessible, quality and uninterrupted academic calendars across public universities.
According to him, the President took personal ownership of resolving decades-long disputes that had repeatedly disrupted academic activities and weakened staff morale.
“For decades, unresolved remuneration concerns, welfare gaps and recurring industrial disputes disrupted academic calendars, undermined staff morale and threatened the future of our young people.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we deliberately chose dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetoric,” the minister said.
He explained that a key provision of the agreement was the upward review of the remuneration package of academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, as approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, with effect from Jan. 1, 2026.
Alausa said the emoluments of university academic staff had been reviewed upward by 40 per cent to improve morale, enhance service delivery, boost global competitiveness and curb brain drain.
He noted that the 40 per cent increase was captured through a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which is peculiar to university academic staff and integrated into the salary structure.
According to the minister, the allowance is designed to cover journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership and book allowances.
He described the provision as essential for effective teaching, research and global academic competitiveness.
Alausa further disclosed that nine previously earned academic allowances had been clearly structured, made more transparent and tied strictly to duties performed.
He said the new framework was intended to promote productivity, accountability and fairness within the university system.