FG Begins Implementation Of Renegotiated ASUU Agreement, Approves 40% Allowance Increase
The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of key welfare provisions contained in its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), including a 40 per cent increase in academic allowances, in a move aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s public university system.
The development was confirmed on Monday in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, who said the action underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to honouring agreements with education sector stakeholders and sustaining industrial harmony in federal universities.
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, announced that the Federal Government has begun implementing the 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The ministry disclosed that some federal universities have already reflected the approved increment in their salary payments, while steps are being taken to ensure uniform implementation across all institutions nationwide.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has announced that the Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation to implement the 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026, in line with the agreement reached with the union,” the statement read.
“To ensure uniform implementation nationwide, all federal universities are being formally notified to fully cascade the approved increment across their institutions and integrate it into their payroll structures so that all eligible academic staff benefit accordingly.”
Dr Alausa further directed vice-chancellors to ensure strict compliance with the framework guiding the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), urging university managements to deploy available resources judiciously to guarantee seamless rollout.
He clarified that the allowance increase has already been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and that its inclusion in the 2026 budget is part of the formal statutory process.
The minister noted that timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would boost staff morale, strengthen the academic environment, and enhance teaching, research and learning outcomes across Nigerian universities.
The latest development follows the conclusion of a long-running renegotiation process between the Federal Government and ASUU, which began in 2017 to review the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement. Several previous efforts under committees led by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs failed to reach a final resolution.
A breakthrough was achieved under the current administration after a new renegotiation committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed was inaugurated in October 2024, culminating in an agreement about 14 months later.
Key provisions of the deal include improved conditions of service, enhanced funding, university autonomy, academic freedom, measures to address brain drain, and a 40 per cent upward review of academic staff remuneration effective January 2026.
The agreement also introduces a Professorial Cadre Allowance for the first time, with Professors set to receive N1.74 million annually and Readers N840,000 per annum, alongside a restructuring of earned academic allowances to improve transparency and link payments strictly to duties performed.