At last, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government have completed the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement
By this development made public through ASUU in a statement on its official Facebook page this Wednesday (24/12/25), there are indications that the end of years of protracted talks and disputes over the welfare of academics and funding of public universities has been achieved.
The agreement, according to the statement, will take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after three years.
As announced by ASUU, the new agreement was reached on December 23, 2025, following extensive negotiations between both parties.
Under the agreement, academic staff in Nigerian public universities will receive a 40 per cent salary increase, while pension benefits have been significantly improved.
It further disclosed that Professors would earn pension equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the age of 70, adding that a new university funding model with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development would also be introduced.
Apart from these, a National Research Council is proposed to fund research activities with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, while stronger university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts, with eligibility will be restricted to professors.
It also revealed that agreement accepts that no individual will be victimised for participating in past industrial actions.
