The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government have finalized a new agreement, bringing to a close years of negotiations over the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement and disputes surrounding academics’ welfare and funding for public universities.

ASUU confirmed the development in a statement shared on its official Facebook page, noting that the agreement will take effect on January 1, 2026, and is set for review every three years. The deal was reached on December 23, 2025, after extensive talks between both parties.

As part of the agreement, academic staff will receive a 40 per cent salary increase, and pension benefits have been substantially improved. Professors retiring at age 70 are now entitled to pensions equivalent to their annual salary.

The agreement also establishes a new funding model for universities, with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. A National Research Council will oversee research funding, with a commitment of at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product for research initiatives.

Additional provisions include stronger university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts limited to professors, and a guarantee that no staff member will face repercussions for participation in past industrial actions.