The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have officially signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), ending a 16-year renegotiation crisis. The deal, finalised on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025, includes a landmark 40% salary increase for all academic staff in public universities. This agreement concluded months of intensive negotiations led by the Yayale Ahmed-led Expanded Negotiation Committee, which was inaugurated earlier in October to forestall a looming nationwide strike. The new salary structure is scheduled to take effect on 1st January 2026, with a mandated review every three years.
A significant highlight of the agreement is the improved pension scheme for senior academics. Under the new terms, professors will retire at the age of 70 and receive a pension equivalent to their full annual salary at the time of retirement. This provision addresses a long-standing demand of the union to ensure financial security for veteran scholars who have dedicated decades to the tertiary education sector. ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, noted that while the union had initially pushed for a higher percentage, the 40% offer was accepted to prevent further stagnation of earnings and academic disruptions.
The agreement also introduces a revamped university funding model that aims to revitalise research and infrastructure. The Federal Government has committed to establishing a National Research Council (NRC), which will be funded with a minimum of 1% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, dedicated allocations will be provided for laboratories, libraries, and staff development programmes.
Furthermore, the new deal strengthens university autonomy and protects academic freedom by ensuring that leadership roles, such as Deans and Provosts, remain elected positions exclusive to professors. The agreement also includes a “no victimisation” clause, ensuring that no union member faces disciplinary action for their participation in the struggle that led to this renegotiation. While ASUU has expressed satisfaction with the progress, it has urged the government to implement these terms without delay and to extend similar negotiations to other university unions to ensure total stability across the system.
