The newly signed agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has come under early scrutiny following the non-implementation of its provisions in lecturers’ January 2026 salaries.
The agreement, signed on Jan. 14, 2026, was expected to take immediate effect, with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, assuring that January salaries would reflect the new terms. However, checks across several public universities indicate that lecturers were paid January salaries under the old structure.
The development has heightened anxiety among academic staff and raised concerns about the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the pact, which replaced a 17-year-old agreement blamed for recurring industrial disputes in the university system.
The new deal provides for a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers, improved funding for public universities, enhanced infrastructure, a structured Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) system, and a 100 per cent pension increase for retired professors. It also includes a comprehensive review every three years.
Despite these provisions, lecturers say the failure to reflect the agreement in January salaries has dampened expectations.
A former ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, said members were disappointed that the January payments did not capture the new salary structure.
“We were told implementation would begin immediately, starting with January salaries. What we received does not reflect that assurance,” he said.
Similarly, the immediate past National Treasurer of ASUU, Prof. Olusiji Sowande of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said while members appreciate the efforts of union leaders, the delay in implementation remains worrisome.
He noted that the agreement was reached after wide consultations and approval by ASUU Congress, adding that sustained failure to implement its provisions could erode confidence.
As lecturers await clarity, observers say prompt implementation of the agreement will be critical to restoring stability and trust in Nigeria’s public university system.
