The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have signed a landmark agreement aimed at resolving the long-standing crises that have plagued Nigeria’s public university system.

The renegotiated 2025 agreement was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja, bringing to an end a protracted process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU agreement, which had been widely regarded as outdated.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the development, explaining that the agreement was concluded under the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee inaugurated in October 2024.

Alausa described the deal as a “decisive turning point” for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, noting that it signals a new direction in government–university relations.

He credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a direct and unprecedented role in the negotiations.

According to the minister, “for the first time in the history of our country, a sitting President took full ownership of this long-standing challenge.”

One of the major provisions of the agreement is a 40 per cent review of academic staff remuneration, which will take effect from January 1, 2026.

The salary increase will be implemented through a newly introduced Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, designed to cover essential academic and research-related expenses, including journal publications and conference participation.

The agreement also provides for the introduction of a new Professorial Cadre Allowance.

Under this provision, professors will receive ₦1.74 million per annum, translating to ₦140,000 monthly, while Readers will earn ₦840,000 per annum, equivalent to ₦70,000 monthly.

Alausa further disclosed that nine earned academic allowances have been restructured as part of the agreement.

He explained that the restructuring is intended to ensure transparency and accountability, with the allowances now strictly linked to clearly defined academic responsibilities such as postgraduate supervision and the conduct of examinations.

The minister described the agreement as “structural, practical, and transformative.”

He said the pact would usher in “a new era of stability, dignity, and excellence” in Nigeria’s public universities.

Alausa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the faithful implementation of the agreement in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Beyond remuneration, the agreement places emphasis on improved conditions of service, enhanced funding, increased university autonomy, and broader systemic reforms.

The reforms are aimed at curbing brain drain, strengthening academic capacity, and repositioning Nigeria’s universities to better support national development.