FG, ASUU Finalise 2009 Agreement Renegotiation, Approve 40% Salary Increase for Lecturers
The long-stalled renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement has finally been concluded, bringing to a close years of intense negotiations over the welfare of academic staff and the chronic underfunding of Nigeria’s public universities.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities disclosed the breakthrough in a statement obtained by PulseNets and shared on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.
According to details learnt by PulseNets, the newly renegotiated agreement will take effect from January 1, 2026, with a comprehensive review scheduled after three years.
ASUU confirmed that the pact was sealed on December 23, 2025, after prolonged engagements between the union and representatives of the Federal Government.
“After years of delays, negotiations, and sustained struggle, ASUU has reached a fresh agreement with the Federal Government on December 23, 2025, thereby concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement,” the union said in the statement reported by PulseNets.
Under the terms of the agreement, academic staff in public universities across Nigeria are to receive a 40 per cent salary increase, alongside major improvements in pension benefits.
PulseNets learnt that professors retiring at the age of 70 will now be entitled to pension payments equivalent to their full annual salary, a provision widely described as a significant boost to post-service welfare in the university system.
The agreement also introduces a new funding framework for universities, with dedicated budgetary allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development.
In a move aimed at strengthening research and innovation, the deal proposes the establishment of a National Research Council to fund academic research, with a statutory allocation of not less than one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
Also Read: ASUU: FG’s Policies Impeding Academic Freedom
Other key provisions obtained by PulseNets include reinforced university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts, with eligibility limited strictly to professors, and an assurance that no academic will be victimised for participating in previous industrial actions.
