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

ASUU disclosed this in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, noting that the agreement was reached on December 23, 2025, after prolonged negotiations. The deal will be reviewed every three years.

The renegotiated agreement focuses on improved welfare for university lecturers and enhanced funding for public universities.

It provides for a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff and significantly improved pension benefits.

Under the new terms, professors will earn pensions equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the age of 70.

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 proposed to support research activities, with funding set at a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

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 individual will be victimised for participating in past industrial actions.

ASUU urged the federal government to ensure the prompt implementation of the agreement and to extend negotiations to other university unions to promote stability in the university system. (Daily Trust)

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