FG, ASUU Conclude Renegotiation of 2009 Agreement

FG and ASUU conclude renegotiation of 2009 agreement.
New deal includes 40 per cent salary increase.
Agreement takes effect from January 2026.

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have concluded negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, with the new pact set to take effect from January 1, 2026.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the union disclosed this in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, stating that the agreement was finalised on December 23, 2025, after prolonged engagements between both parties. ASUU added that the agreement would be subject to review every three years.

According to the union, the renegotiated agreement focuses on improved welfare for university lecturers and increased funding for public universities, with the aim of stabilising Nigeria’s higher education system.

A major feature of the agreement is a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, alongside significantly enhanced pension benefits. Under the new arrangement, professors will earn pensions equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the statutory age of 70 years, a provision ASUU described as a critical step towards guaranteeing dignity in retirement.

The agreement also introduces a new funding framework for public universities, providing dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development.

In addition, the pact proposes the establishment of a National Research Council to promote research and innovation, with funding pegged at a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include measures to strengthen university autonomy and academic freedom, as well as reforms in the selection of academic leaders such as deans and provosts, a process to be handled strictly by professors.

The agreement further guarantees that no academic staff member will be victimised for participating in previous industrial actions, addressing one of ASUU’s long standing demands.

While welcoming the outcome, ASUU urged the Federal Government to ensure timely and faithful implementation of the agreement. The union also called on the government to extend negotiations to other university based unions to promote harmony within the tertiary education sector.