Manny Ita
In a move widely described as a historic shift for Nigeria’s tertiary education secto, t
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have formally signed and unveiled a comprehensive renegotiated agreement in a move widely described as a historic shift for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The pact, signed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 and presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the TETFund Conference Hall in Abuja, is designed to restore industrial harmony and permanently end the cycle of academic disruptions in federal universities. Minister Alausa described the deal as a “historic turning point” that symbolizes “renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.” He further noted that the agreement reflects President Bola Tinubu’s personal commitment to ensuring an “uninterrupted academic calendar” for Nigerian students.
The centerpiece of the agreement is a 40 percent upward review of the remuneration for academic staff, which has been officially approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). This pay rise, effective retroactively from January 1, 2026, is structured through a newly enhanced “Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance” (CATA) integrated into the existing salary framework. According to the Ministry of Education, this allowance is specifically designed to support research, journal publications, conference attendance, and internet access, with the broader goal of “boosting global competitiveness and curbing brain drain.” Additionally, the agreement introduces a first-of-its-kind “Professorial Cadre Allowance,” which provides full-time Professors with a monthly top-up of ₦140,000 and Readers with ₦70,000.
Beyond salary adjustments, the agreement fundamentally restructures nine existing Earned Academic Allowances to ensure transparency and accountability. These payments are now strictly tied to specific duties, such as postgraduate supervision, clinical responsibilities, and fieldwork. ASUU President, Prof. Chris Pinuwa, acknowledged the breakthrough but maintained a tone of “guarded optimism,” noting that while the union welcomes the focus on funding and university autonomy, the “true meaning of the agreement will be found in its consistent and honest implementation.”
The government confirmed that a circular dated December 30, 2025, has already been issued to relevant agencies to begin the immediate financial implementation of the new wage components.
