•40% increase in academic staff salary commencing January 1

By Gabriel Dike

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have finally signed the 2009 renegotiation agreement after years of strikes and even stoppage of lecturers’ salaries.

The renegotiated agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Federal Government Renegotiation Team, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and the President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, in Abuja.

Piwuna recalled that ASUU and the government last signed an agreement in 2009 but was jettisoned  by successive administrations.

This, he said, led to the union embarking on strikes at different times in an effort to get government to renegotiate and sign the agreements.

Piwuna confirmed the signing of the agreement via a circular to zonal coordinators and branch chairpersons dated December 24, 2025.

The circular is titled, Update on the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.

It reads: “Recall that our 2009 agreement was to be reviewed in 2012. That did not happen despite concerted efforts, negotiations, threats of strike and strike actions. Finally, the efforts of our past and present leadership and membership paid off.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reached an agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria on December 23, 2025. As earlier stated, it is the outcome of a prolonged renegotiation process initiated in 2017 to review the 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement.”

According to him, the aim is to revitalise Nigeria’s university system and that the agreement focuses 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 listed the key agreement such as conditions of service, a 40 percent upward review of academic staff emoluments and pension provisions under existing laws.

The agreement granted professors a pension equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at age 70 with defined service requirements and recognition of approved service periods.

On funding, Piwuna said the agreement proposed a new budgeting template recognising university peculiarities, with dedicated percentages for libraries, research, equipment, staff development and laboratories.

“A major highlight is the proposed National Research Council (NRC) to fund research at not less than one percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), strengthen innovation and support research universities and centres of excellence.”

The ASUU president explained that the agreement affirms university autonomy and academic freedom, emphasising merit-based governance, elected academic leadership (Deans/Provosts), adding, the Provosts/Deans of Postgraduate Schools would now be elected, with only professors eligible to contest.

Piwuna disclosed that the agreement takes effect from January 1, 2026 and it would be reviewed after three years. “The agreement guarantees that no individual shall be victimised for participating in the renegotiation process. It is our hope that the Federal Government will commence the implementation without delay,” he stated.

He appreciated the commitment of Mallam Yayale Ahmed and the other members of the renegotiation team to the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement that has been dragging on for eight years.

He also lauded the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his effort to the renegotiation, especially the last push that “we needed to cross the line.”

Piwuna urged the government to hasten the negotiations with the other university-based unions (SSANU, NASU and NAAT), stating, “this is to guarantee a rancour free and smooth running of the university.”

ASUU also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress, whose solidarity throughout the struggle has remained unshakeable.

The ASUU leadership extended its appreciation to members for their patience and perseverance, saying, “It has been a long walk through the renegotiation.”