The Federal Government says its 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities is aimed at protecting university autonomy while promoting lasting stability in Nigeria’s higher education system.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi, disclosed this during a working visit to Yakubu Gowon University in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
According to a statement released by the agency’s Head of Strategic Communication, Aliyu Umar, the new agreement—expected to begin in January 2026—includes a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, improved research funding, and better severance packages.
Arabi explained that the deal is part of ongoing government efforts to tackle long-standing challenges in the university system, including funding shortfalls and governance concerns. He added that funding for universities has continued to grow over time, supported by infrastructure projects financed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and other federal programmes.
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He also highlighted the Student Loan Scheme as a major initiative to ease financial pressure on underprivileged students and expand access to tertiary education. The scheme, he noted, is designed to ensure that qualified students are not denied education due to lack of funds.
While stressing the importance of institutional independence, Arabi maintained that universities must remain accountable and operate within established governance structures.
He further stated that the introduction of the government-approved payroll system was meant to improve transparency and validate staff records across federal institutions.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Hakeem Fawehinmi, affirmed the institution’s willingness to collaborate with the bureau in advancing reforms in the education sector.
