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FG, ASUU Sign Deal To End Historic University Strikes, Approve 40% Pay Rise For Lecturers
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a far-reaching agreement aimed at improving lecturers’ welfare, ensuring industrial harmony and ending decades of recurring disruptions in federal universities.
The landmark move is expected to reshape Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who described the pact as a historic turning point capable of restoring trust and stability to the nation’s university system after years of strikes and academic uncertainty.
“This is more than the unveiling of a document. It symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” Alausa said.
The education minister credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with taking what he described as an unprecedented step by directly confronting the prolonged crisis that had crippled public universities, disrupted academic calendars and dashed the hopes of millions of students.
“For the first time in our history, a sitting President confronted this challenge head-on and gave it the leadership attention it truly deserved,” Alausa said.
According to him, the administration deliberately chose “dialogue over discord, reform over delay, and resolution over rhetoric” in resolving the decades-old impasse between the government and university lecturers.
A major highlight of the agreement is the 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of academic staff, approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Alausa disclosed that the new salary structure would take effect from January 1, 2026.
Under the revised framework, lecturers’ pay will consist of the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and an enhanced Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance.
The strengthened CATA is designed to support journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional memberships and book development, in line with global academic standards and efforts to curb brain drain.
The agreement also restructures nine Earned Academic Allowances, which the minister said are now clearly defined, transparently earned and directly tied to duties performed.
These include postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical responsibilities, examination duties and academic leadership roles.
The move, according to stakeholders, is expected to improve accountability while rewarding productivity within the university system.
In another first for Nigeria’s university system, the Federal Government approved a Professorial Cadre Allowance for full-time Professors and Readers.
Under the scheme, Professors will receive ₦1.74m annually (₦140,000 monthly), while Readers will earn ₦840,000 annually (₦70,000 monthly).
Alausa explained that the allowance recognises the academic, administrative and research responsibilities of senior academics.
According to him, the initiative is meant to enhance research coordination, academic documentation and administrative efficiency, enabling senior scholars to devote more time to teaching, mentorship and innovation.
“This intervention is not cosmetic. It is structural, practical and transformative,” the minister said.
The minister praised President Tinubu’s “uncommon, courageous and people-centred leadership,” noting that sustained engagement, fiscal realism and mutual respect made it possible to resolve what many had considered an intractable crisis spanning more than two decades.
He assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to the faithful implementation of the agreement under the Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging continuous engagement with stakeholders and sustained reforms in the education sector.
Education stakeholders say the agreement ushers in a new era of stability and excellence for Nigerian universities, restoring predictability to academic calendars and renewed hope to students and parents nationwide.
Alausa also commended members of both negotiating teams—led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed for the Federal Government and Professor Pius Piwuna for ASUU, as well as the immediate past ASUU leadership under Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, for laying the groundwork for the breakthrough.
“History will remember today not just as an unveiling ceremony,” the minister concluded, “but as the day Nigeria chose dialogue, transparency and strong presidential commitment as the pathway to resolving long-standing governance challenges.”
With the agreement now sealed, many Nigerians are hopeful that the era of prolonged university shutdowns is giving way to stability, productivity and global competitiveness in the nation’s higher education system.
United States President, Donald Trump, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to tackle terrorism and his resolve to address violence targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.
Trump also expressed his readiness to work with the Nigerian President to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Nigeria and make the country “stronger and more prosperous.”
The US President’s commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Trump’s letter was in response to a correspondence from Tinubu, with the US President particularly praising the Nigerian leader for his approach to tackling security challenges in the country.
In the letter, Trump said he appreciated Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to addressing the problems facing Nigeria.
He specifically praised the President’s resolve to tackle violence affecting Christian communities, saying the US was prepared to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Trump said, “Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
Trump highlights US-Nigeria security ties
The US President said the relationship between both countries had become increasingly important amid the spread of conflicts across West Africa and other parts of the world.
According to him, Nigeria and the United States share a common goal of fighting terrorism in all its forms.
He also pointed to the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap between both countries as a framework for strengthening joint efforts against terrorism and other security threats.
Trump said, “The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world.
“We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.”
US deploys Special Operations Forces
Trump further disclosed that the United States had deployed its Special Operations Forces to support and train Nigerian military personnel.
He described the US special forces as some of the most elite military units in the world, saying their role was to equip Nigerian troops with the necessary skills, tools and intelligence to protect the country.
The US President said the assistance was also aimed at improving the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly Christian communities that had come under attack.
He said, “I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world, to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack.”
Trump expressed optimism about continued cooperation with Tinubu, saying he looked forward to further discussions with the Nigerian President during his tenure.
“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” he added.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the declaration during a mega rally held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, where he also unveiled a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The Oyo governor announced that the coalition would operate under the platform of what he described as the “Reset Nigeria Movement.”
Addressing supporters and party loyalists at the rally, Makinde said the time had come for Nigerians to collectively work towards rebuilding the country and confronting its numerous socioeconomic and political challenges.
“Therefore, today, I Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor declared to loud cheers from supporters.
The rally attracted political stakeholders, party members and supporters from different parts of the country.
Makinde explained that the alliance between the PDP and APM was necessitated by what he described as attempts to impose a one-party system on Nigeria.
According to him, the coalition is aimed at protecting democratic values and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the movement would focus on addressing pressing national issues, including economic hardship, governance challenges and political inclusion.
The governor also urged Nigerians not to remain passive in the face of the country’s current difficulties, insisting that citizens must actively participate in nation-building.
“This is the time to confront our fears. Do not be afraid,” Makinde said.
He further called on Nigerians to engage in developmental issues as active citizens rather than mere spectators.
The declaration places Makinde among the growing list of politicians expected to jostle for the nation’s top office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr following the non-sighting of the crescent moon.
The announcement was made on Wednesday via the official HaraminInfo social media platforms, which provide updates on religious developments in the Kingdom.
According to the statement, efforts to sight the crescent moon across designated locations in the Kingdom were unsuccessful due to unfavourable weather conditions.
“The crescent moon has NOT been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, #EidAlFitr will be celebrated on Friday, 20th March 2026,” the statement read.
The platform also offered prayers for Muslims as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl and may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” it added.
Saudi authorities explained that observations were conducted across multiple locations, from Dammam—identified as the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon is usually sighted—to Tabuk, regarded as the last observation point.
However, persistent cloud cover and rainfall hampered visibility.
“Dammam, the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon of Eid al-Fitr is sighted. Tabuk – the last city in the Kingdom where the sighting ends. Until now: Cloudy conditions continue at most observation sites across the Kingdom. Rain is currently heading toward observation sites across the Kingdom,” the statement noted.
Saudi Arabia’s declaration is expected to influence several Muslim-majority countries, including Nigeria, where the official pronouncement rests with the Sultan of Sokoto.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerians are awaiting confirmation from the Sultan regarding the sighting of the moon, which will determine the exact date for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations nationwide.
Eid-el-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month characterised by fasting, prayers, and reflection by millions of Muslims around the world.
The festival is typically observed with prayers, charity, and communal celebrations among Muslim faithful.