The Federal Government says the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will strengthen university autonomy and promote long-term stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, disclosed this during a visit to Yakubu Gowon University in Gwagwalada, Abuja. The institution was formerly known as the University of Abuja.
According to Arabi, the agreement will take effect from January 2026. It includes a 40 per cent salary increase, improved research funding, and better severance entitlements for academic staff.
He explained that the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement introduces stronger autonomy safeguards. However, he stressed that autonomy must align with accountability.
Therefore, universities must operate within clear governance frameworks while managing academic and administrative duties independently.
Arabi also highlighted increased federal funding for universities. In addition, he cited interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund as support for infrastructure and development.
On access to education, he described the Students’ Loan Scheme as a major step forward. He said the scheme aims to remove financial barriers for indigent students and ensure that qualified applicants are not excluded.
Furthermore, Arabi defended the government-approved payroll system. He said it enhances transparency and verifies personnel records across federal institutions.
He added that recent salary adjustments for senior lecturers and professors reflect broader reforms in the education sector.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Hakeem Fawehinmi, welcomed collaboration with the BPSR. He identified capacity development, staff training, and postgraduate programmes as key areas for partnership.
