The Federal Government is set to formally sign an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities following several weeks of negotiations between both parties.

The impending agreement is believed to be connected to the 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff proposed by the Federal Government last month and subsequently accepted by the union.

A circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities to attend the signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The ceremony is expected to hold at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Conference Hall in Abuja.

The circular, dated January 5, 2026, carried the reference number FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82.

It was signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

The document was titled ‘Invitation to the Ceremony for the Signing of Agreement Between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.’

The circular was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday.

Its authenticity was also confirmed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the circular, “This signing represents a critical milestone in promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching and learning in our universities.

“It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustainable development of education in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

Attendance at the signing ceremony was declared mandatory for all invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars.

The directive underscored the importance attached to the agreement by the Federal Government, particularly with regard to its implementation across federal universities.

Last month, the prolonged industrial crisis that had affected Nigeria’s university system for 16 years following the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement recorded a major breakthrough.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities accepted the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff.

It was reported that the agreement would take effect from January 1, 2026.

The salary structure is expected to be reviewed after a period of three years.

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

The agreement also provides for the establishment of a National Research Council.

The council is to be funded with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product to support research activities.

Other provisions of the pact include improved funding for university libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development.

The agreement further grants greater autonomy to universities.

It also provides for the election of academic leaders, with only professors eligible to serve as deans and provosts.

In addition, the agreement guarantees that no university staff member involved in previous industrial actions will be victimised.