The Federal Government has reiterated that the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities is designed to strengthen university autonomy and promote long-term stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi, disclosed this during a working visit to Yakubu Gowon University in Gwagwalada, Abuja. He explained that the agreement — effective from January 2026 — includes a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, enhanced research funding, and improved severance benefits.

Arabi noted that successive administrations have remained committed to addressing structural challenges such as funding gaps and governance concerns in higher education.

“The 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement seeks to strengthen autonomy safeguards. Successive administrations have remained committed to addressing structural issues such as funding gaps and governance concerns,” he stated.

He further highlighted that university funding has steadily increased over time, supported by infrastructure interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and other federal initiatives.

On access to education, Arabi emphasised the importance of the Student Loan Scheme, describing it as a critical mechanism to expand opportunities for qualified students while ensuring financial sustainability in the sector.

He also stressed that university autonomy must operate alongside accountability frameworks. According to him, institutions should independently manage academic and administrative responsibilities to foster innovation, but within clear governance structures.

Arabi pointed out that the government-approved payroll system enhances transparency and verifies personnel records across federal institutions, reinforcing accountability in public administration.

Recent salary adjustments for senior lecturers and professors were cited as part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector for national development and improving working conditions for academic staff.

In response, Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Hakeem Fawehinmi, expressed readiness to collaborate with the reform agency. He identified capacity development, staff competency enhancement, and postgraduate training as priority areas for partnership.

The university leadership’s commitment signals a broader effort to align institutional objectives with national reform agendas aimed at improving educational quality and governance.

With implementation of the agreement underway, attention now shifts to how effectively the reforms will address longstanding challenges in higher education while balancing autonomy with accountability.