Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) don agree say professors wey retire from recognised public universities go now receive pension equal to 100 per cent of their annual salary.
The new agreement show say any academic staff wey retire at professor level go collect pension wey match im full yearly salary, as long as the person serve continuously for recognised university reach compulsory retirement age.
The 35-page agreement, wey journalists see, also fix retirement age for professors at 70 years.
Section 3.6 of the document, wey talk about pension entitlement, pension fund administration and retirement age, state clearly say:
“Any academic staff wey retire as professor for recognised university go be entitled to pension equivalent to im annual salary, provided say e serve continuously reach retirement age.”
Stakeholders wey attend the unveiling of the agreement on Wednesday for Abuja say the provision dey meant to reward professors for decades of teaching, research and administration. Dem say e go also boost morale, encourage career growth and help stop the japa trend for Nigerian universities.
ASUU had earlier raise alarm say in 2025 alone, no fewer than 309 professors leave Nigeria public university system within one month.
The agreement also carry major welfare boost for female lecturers. Section 3.4, wey focus on non-salary conditions of service, approve six-month maternity leave for qualified female academic staff.
“Qualified female academic staff shall be entitled to a maternity leave of six months as provided in the existing Public Service Rules,” the document read.
Another key highlight na the introduction of Professorial Cadre Allowance for full-time Professors and Readers. Under the arrangement, Professors go earn ₦1.74 million per year, wey be ₦140,000 monthly, while Readers go receive ₦840,000 annually, or ₦70,000 every month.
The allowance no go apply to part-time lecturers, and e dey meant to support research coordination, academic documentation and administrative duties, so senior academics fit focus more on teaching, mentorship and innovation.
Speaking during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement,
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, describe am as historic breakthrough wey show renewed trust and commitment to stable academic calendars for Nigerian universities.
Alausa say the agreement reflect President Bola Tinubu determination to prioritise education as foundation for national development. According to am, na first time sitting president fully take ownership of long-standing problems facing the university system.
“For many years, unresolved pay issues, welfare gaps and repeated strikes scatter academic calendars and weaken staff morale,” the minister talk. “This administration choose dialogue instead of conflict, and reform instead of delay.”
He add say the agreement don lay strong foundation for industrial peace in federal tertiary institutions through continuous engagement, financial realism and mutual respect. He reassure say government go faithfully implement the agreement under Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
