Nigerian govt begins rollout of 40% ASUU pay deal, mandates nationwide compliance

THE Nigerian government has commenced the implementation of key financial components of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a major step toward resolving years of industrial unrest in Nigeria’s university system.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Boriowo Folasade, According to the ministry, the action demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to honour agreements reached with education sector stakeholders and sustain industrial peace across public universities.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the government has activated the 40 percent 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 started reflecting the increase in their salary payments.

To ensure uniform application nationwide, all federal universities have been formally directed to integrate the new structure into their payroll systems so that every eligible academic staff member benefits.

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“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 1st January 2026, in line with the agreement reached with the union,” the statement said.

It added that while some institutions have already effected the changes, others must fully cascade the approved increment across their systems and embed it into their payroll frameworks.

Mr Alausa further instructed vice-chancellors to strictly adhere to the approved framework for the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). He urged them to manage available funds prudently to ensure the smooth and sustainable rollout of the new allowance structure.

The minister clarified that the payment framework has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and that its inclusion in the 2026 federal budget follows statutory requirements.

He called on university management teams to act proactively to facilitate prompt payment in line with NSIWC guidelines, stressing that timely implementation of both the CAA increment and CATA would strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale and improve outcomes in teaching, research and learning across Nigerian universities.

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The Nigerian government also reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with education sector unions, transparency in implementation and continuous improvement in the quality of higher education nationwide.

FG-ASUU deal

The current rollout follows the unveiling of a renegotiated FG–ASUU agreement last month, aimed at addressing long-standing disputes in the tertiary education sector.

The 2025 deal marked the conclusion of a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, which was due for revision in 2012. Several earlier committees chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs were unable to produce a final agreement.

A breakthrough came under the present administration with the inauguration of the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee in October 2024. After about 14 months of deliberations, both parties reached a consensus.

The agreement focuses on improved conditions of service, sustainable funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and reforms aimed at reversing decay in the sector, curbing brain drain and repositioning universities for national development.

A central feature of the deal is the 40 per cent upward review of academic staff remuneration in federal universities, effective January 1, 2026.

Under the new structure, salaries will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which represents the 40 percent increment.

The tools allowance is designed to support core academic functions such as research, journal publications, conference attendance, internet access, learned society membership and book purchases, with the goal of enhancing productivity and retaining skilled scholars.

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The agreement also reforms 9 earned academic allowances by linking payments strictly to duties performed, including postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical work, examination duties and leadership roles within the university system.

For the first time, the government has approved a Professorial Cadre Allowance. Under this provision, full-time professors will receive N1.74 million annually, while readers will earn N840,000 per year. The government described the measure as a structural and transformative step to recognise experience, restore dignity and strengthen the academic profession.