The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality of the university education system and ensuring stability.
The signing and unveiling of the agreement took place on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
Speaking during the ceremony, Alausa said the President took personal ownership of resolving long-standing disputes that had affected the university system for decades.
”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,” he said.
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He explained that a key provision of the agreement was the 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.
He 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.
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According to him, the 40 per cent review is represented through a consolidated academic tools allowance, which is peculiar to university academic staff and forms part of the salary structure.
The minister said the consolidated academic tools allowance would cover journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership and book allowances.
This, he described as essential for effective teaching, research and global academic competitiveness.
He added that nine hitherto earned academic allowances had been clearly structured, made transparent and tied strictly to duties performed to promote productivity, accountability and fairness.
He also announced the introduction of a new professorial credit allowance, describing it as the first of its kind approved by the federal government.
According to him, the allowance applies strictly to full-time professors and academic readers in universities, in recognition of their heavy scholarly, administrative and research responsibilities.
He explained that under the new structure, professors would receive an additional N1.8 million per annum, amounting to about N140,000 monthly, while academic readers would receive N840,000 per annum, or N70,000 monthly.
The minister said the allowance was designed to support research coordination, academic documentation, correspondence and administrative efficiency, enabling senior academics to focus more on teaching, mentorship, innovation and knowledge production.
The minister said the government had already commenced implementation of the agreement, noting that a circular directing the full implementation of the wages component had been issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
According to him, the circular, dated Dec. 30, 2025, was released to ensure the agreement took effect from Jan. 1, 2026, in line with the government’s commitment.
Speaking at the unveiling of the agreement, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said that despite the union’s history with the Federal Government, it remains optimistic that things will be different this time.
He expressed hope that the union would not need to issue a strike threat before the Federal Government implements the agreement reached by both parties.
“We are optimistic that the government will implement this agreement in totality, but pessimism still exists because of our history,” Prof Piwuna said.
“It is our belief that Dr. Tunji Alausa will be different, and that our union will not need to issue a strike threat before any part of this agreement is implemented. As you always say, you are open and accessible; ASUU is also open and accessible.”