Federal Government has signed the renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ensure quality and uninterrupted academic activities in Tertiary institutions.
At the presentation in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, renewed the commitment of the Federal government to promoting industrial harmony, ensuring growth and stability in the University system.
He said President Bola Tinubu took personal ownership of resolving the long-standing disputes that had affected the university system for decades.
The minister stated 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 January 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.
”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 consolidated academic tools allowance would cover journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership and book allowances”.
On Earned Academic Allowances, Dr. Olatunji said nine of them have now been clearly structured, transparently earned, and strictly tied to duties performed, thereby promoting productivity, accountability, and fairness.
He said they consist of enhanced provisions for postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, moderation, examination responsibilities, and leadership roles within the tertiary education system.
The Minister of Education also announced the approval of a Professorial Cadre Allowance which applies strictly to senior academics at the level of full-time Professors and Readers in the tertiary institutions.
”The allowance is structured as follows: 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.
This allowance is designed to support research coordination, academic documentation, correspondence, and administrative efficiency—thereby enabling our scholars to focus more effectively on teaching, innovation, mentorship, and global knowledge production.”
Dr. Olatunji Alausa assured ASUU that the government would ensure the full implementation of the new agreement which commenced on January 1,2026.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Pinuwa commended the present administration for their commitment to ending decades of delays in the renegotiation process.
Professor Pinuwa said the agreement focused on conditions of service, funding, university autonomy and academic freedom, as well as other systemic reforms aimed at reversing decay, curbing brain drain and repositioning universities for national development.
He however, revealed that there were still unresolved issues affecting the university system, especially the non adherence of government to university autonomy.
Professor Piwuna urged Vice Chancellors to ensure proper fund management.
RN