The agreement, which addresses both the welfare of university lecturers and the funding of public universities, comes after years of delays and protracted discussions between the two parties.
Prof. Idou Keinde, Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch of ASUU, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, though he noted that details of the arrangement were not yet fully available.
“Yes, I can say that an agreement has been reached, but I don’t have the details yet,” he stated.
According to a statement shared by ASUU on its official Facebook page, the agreement will be reviewed every three years to ensure it remains responsive to the evolving needs of the sector. ASUU highlighted that the deal was finalised on December 23, 2025, following extensive consultations with government representatives.
The new agreement outlines a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff across Nigerian public universities, alongside significantly enhanced pension benefits. Under the deal, professors retiring at age 70 will be entitled to pensions equivalent to their annual salaries.
In addition to improving staff welfare, the agreement introduces a comprehensive funding model for universities. Dedicated allocations will support research initiatives, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. A National Research Council is also proposed to oversee research funding, targeting a minimum of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product for research activities.
The deal further strengthens university autonomy and academic freedom, including provisions that allow for the election of academic leaders, such as Deans and Provosts, exclusively from among professors. Importantly, the agreement guarantees that no academic staff will face retaliation for participating in previous industrial actions.
Education analysts have described the agreement as a milestone in the Nigerian university system, potentially reshaping both the quality of higher education and the professional lives of lecturers nationwide.