The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the conclusion of the long-running renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government of Nigeria–ASUU Agreement, with a fresh deal reached on December 23, 2025.
The union disclosed this in a press release issued by its leadership, stating that the agreement marked the end of years of delays, negotiations, and struggles between the lecturers’ body and the Federal Government.
Under the new terms, academic staff are to receive a 40 per cent salary increase, while pension benefits have been reviewed upward. Professors are expected to earn pensions equivalent to their annual salaries upon retirement at the age of 70.
The agreement also introduces a revised funding framework for public universities, with dedicated allocations for research activities, libraries, laboratories, equipment procurement, and staff development. As part of the reforms, a National Research Council is proposed to support research funding with a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
ASUU said the deal strengthens university autonomy and academic freedom, while academic leadership positions such as Deans and Provosts will now be filled through elections, with eligibility restricted to Professors.
The union noted that the agreement will take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after three years. It also provides assurances that no individual involved in the struggle will face any form of victimisation.
ASUU leadership called on the Federal Government to implement the agreement without delay and urged that talks be extended to other university-based unions to guarantee stability across the university system.
The union described the outcome as a major step towards rebuilding Nigeria’s public universities.
