Education Minsiter Tunji Alausa.webp
The Digest:

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have concluded the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, resolving a 16-year impasse that triggered repeated strikes and institutional decay.

Key Points:
  • The new agreement takes effect January 1, 2026, with a review after three years.
  • Academic staff will receive a 40% salary increase.
  • Professors will retire at age 70 with a pension equivalent to their full annual salary.
  • A new university funding model includes dedicated allocations for research, libraries, and labs.
  • The deal proposes a National Research Council funded with at least 1% of Nigeria’s GDP.
  • It strengthens university autonomy and mandates elected leadership for deans and provosts.
  • ASUU secured a guarantee that no member will be victimized for their role in the struggle.
This resolution is more than a contract; it’s a delayed investment in Nigeria’s intellectual future, aiming to stem brain drain and re-anchor a battered university system. Whether it marks true renewal or another promised dawn remains to be seen.

Sources: Leadership