In a landmark move set to reshape the landscape of Nigerian higher education, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have sealed a comprehensive agreement promising significantly enhanced welfare for academic staff, particularly focusing on post-service benefits and family-friendly policies.
Historic Pension Boost for Retiring Professors
The newly signed 35-page pact, unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja, introduces a revolutionary pension scheme for senior academics. Professors who retire from recognised public universities will now be entitled to a pension calculated at 100% of their annual salary. This provision marks a monumental shift in rewarding decades of dedicated service in teaching, research, and administration.
However, the agreement stipulates clear conditions for eligibility. To qualify for the full pension benefit, a professor must have served continuously in a recognised university until reaching the mandatory retirement age, which the document sets at 70 years. This measure is designed to retain experienced scholars within the system and directly combat the troubling 'Japa syndrome' that has seen a mass exodus of talent. The alarm was raised in 2025 when ASUU reported that over 309 professors left Nigerian public universities in a single month.
Enhanced Allowances and Family Support Policies
Beyond pensions, the agreement introduces substantial financial incentives for current senior academics. A new Professorial Cadre Allowance has been established, granting full professors an annual sum of N1.74 million (N140,000 monthly). Readers, now referred to as Associate Professors, will receive N840,000 per annum (N70,000 monthly) under this new structure.
In a significant win for gender inclusion and family welfare, the pact also enshrines an extended maternity leave policy. Qualified female academic staff are now entitled to six months of maternity leave, as provided under the existing Public Service Rules. This provision, detailed in Section 3.4 of the agreement, is expected to support female lecturers in balancing their professional and family responsibilities.
Stakeholders Hail a New Dawn for Nigerian Universities
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, hailed the agreement as a historic turning point. He emphasized that it symbolizes renewed trust, restored confidence, and a firm commitment to achieving uninterrupted academic calendars across Nigerian universities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warmly welcomed the development. In a statement signed by Michael Oyewole, Chief Press Secretary to NANS President Olushola Oladoja, the student body commended both the Federal Government and ASUU. Oladoja described the agreement as a landmark development that will not only improve the welfare of academic staff but also ensure stability and an uninterrupted academic calendar for students, ultimately restoring quality to the tertiary education system.
The consensus among stakeholders is that this comprehensive agreement, obtained by The Guardian, will boost morale, encourage career progression, and stem the tide of brain drain, paving the way for a more stable and productive university system in Nigeria.
