The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a historic agreement to revamp the remuneration framework for university academics, ending 17 years of recurring industrial unrest.
The breakthrough comes after nearly two decades of tense negotiations and promises to stabilize a sector long plagued by strikes since 2009.
Announcing the deal, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa unveiled a comprehensive welfare package, which includes a 40 percent pay increase for academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, approved by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission. The new pay structure officially took effect on January 1, 2026.
Central to the agreement is the introduction of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), aimed at supporting lecturers’ research and teaching needs. Under CATA, academics will receive dedicated funding for activities such as journal publications, conference participation, and book allowances—shifting away from discretionary benefits toward investments that directly enhance research quality and international engagement.
The pact also introduces a more transparent system for Earned Academic Allowances, linking payments to measurable duties such as postgraduate supervision, clinical responsibilities, and examinations, ensuring compensation aligns with academic productivity.
In recognition of senior expertise, the government has introduced a Professorial Cadre Allowance. Full-time Professors will now earn an additional N1.74 million annually, while Readers will receive N840,000 per year to support mentorship, research coordination, and institutional administration.
Describing the agreement as a transformative solution to a long-standing crisis, Dr. Alausa emphasized the government’s commitment to faithful implementation. He expressed confidence that the new framework would secure lasting industrial harmony and strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
