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ASUU, FG reach far-reaching agreements on autonomy, funding, governance and welfare
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Government accepts renewed commitment to university autonomy and merit-based leadership appointments
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Improved salary package and clearer Earned Allowance structure agreed after prolonged negotiations
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it has recorded major progress in the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, following extensive engagements with the Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed–led committee.
In a progress report presented at its National Secretariat in Abuja, and sighted by LEADERSHIP on Tuesday, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said several long-standing issues troubling Nigeria’s public universities have now been addressed. He described the developments as a significant shift in the Federal Government’s approach to university reform.
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According to the report, both sides reached far-reaching agreements on salary and non-salary matters, institutional governance, funding templates, autonomy, and the structural integrity of universities.
A central outcome of the negotiations is the government’s renewed commitment to full university autonomy. The agreement restores the statutory powers of Governing Councils and reinforces the authority of University Senates in academic matters.
ASUU insisted—and government agreed—that Vice-Chancellors must be appointed strictly on merit. The union condemned the growing practice of host communities demanding indigenous candidates for Vice-Chancellor roles, warning that such pressure erodes standards. The election of Deans and Heads of Departments was also reaffirmed as an essential academic tradition.
Funding and Research Commitments
The renegotiation produced a new needs-driven budget template to address recurrent and capital expenditure in universities.
The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to strengthen national research efforts, while the National Research Council will channel funding into science and technology research.
Government further agreed to encourage private companies and multinationals to invest in research and development. ASUU welcomed the commitments, saying they reflect a clear acknowledgement of the chronic underfunding of public universities.
The sanctity of university lands will also be protected, while new Bills and Executive Orders will introduce innovative education taxes aimed at sustainable funding.
Both parties agreed that only individuals of integrity and familiarity with university culture should be appointed to Governing Councils. State governments were encouraged to include non-indigenes in their councils to promote diversity and uphold merit.
The negotiations also reaffirmed students’ rights to lawful assembly and association across campuses. ASUU celebrated the abolition of the pyramidal promotion structure, noting that promotions will now depend on research output, publications, and performance—rather than the availability of vacancies.
Academic Materials, Salaries and Allowances
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The Federal Government accepted ASUU’s call for duty-free importation of academic materials, including books, journals, laboratory equipment and renewable energy devices. The union said this will significantly ease access to essential teaching and research resources.
On salaries, ASUU revealed that earlier government proposals were rejected as “grossly inadequate.” The union eventually accepted an improved package aligned with recommendations of the Nimi Briggs Committee, although some cadres will receive slightly higher or lower figures.
ASUU also secured clarity on Earned Academic Allowances. Government agreed that the annual cost will be pegged at 12% of each university’s academic salary and wage bill, to be provided through direct budgetary allocation.
Prof. Piwuna said the progress achieved demonstrates that “persistence and principled negotiation” can yield tangible gains for Nigeria’s university system. While implementation remains critical, he noted that the breakthroughs represent a significant step towards revitalising public universities and improving the welfare of academic staff.
