Lecturers upbeat over FG’s new pay package

The recent signing of an agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government, with an increase in the lecturers’ pay, has been hailed as a milestone in the long struggle for industrial harmony within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Professor Ibrahim Sirajo, the chairman of ASUU at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), […]

The recent signing of an agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government, with an increase in the lecturers’ pay, has been hailed as a milestone in the long struggle for industrial harmony within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Professor Ibrahim Sirajo, the chairman of ASUU at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), described the development as a “positive sign” that could stabilise academic calendars after nearly two decades of protracted negotiations, spanning administrations from Yar’adua to Tinubu.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, with Weekend Trust, Sirajo acknowledged government’s willingness to listen and engage the union constructively, noting that they had endured years of stalled talks and broken promises. 

He emphasised that the agreement, unveiled on January 14, 2026, represents a step towards restoring confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system. However, he was quick to caution that the concessions fell short of addressing the economic realities faced by academics.

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According to him, the 40 per cent salary adjustment for professors pales in comparison to the skyrocketing cost of living. With naira’s value plummeting and petroleum prices quadrupling, the ripple effects have left lecturers struggling to meet basic needs. 

Sirajo pointed out that Nigerian professors still earned less than $1,000 monthly, far below the $2,000 offered to academics in other African countries under technical aid programmes. 

“We are still lagging behind in terms of pay when compared globally,” he lamented.

Despite these shortcomings, Sirajo explained that ASUU accepted the deal to prevent further disruption to students’ education. 

He stressed that the union’s decision was motivated by a desire to protect academic calendars and foster stability, even if the financial terms remained inadequate. 

“For the sake of our students, we entered into the agreement,” he said, adding that the union hopes the government would fully implement its provisions.

Similarly, some lecturers in the University of Jos expressed happiness over the federal government’s 40 per cent increment, describing it as a good step forward. 

Professor Jurbe Molwus, the ASUU chairperson, University of Jos said: “The 40 per cent increment is not what we desired, but it is a step forward. The agreement would reflect an improvement in the earnings of our members and the entire university system if fully implemented.”

For Professor Ezekiel Adeyi, a lecturer in the university, the increment has given them a sense of belonging. He said: “The increment gives a sense of belonging to the academics. It is a psychological relief that ASUU ensured that the 2009 agreement was reviewed as required by law. Although the national economy is not friendly and unstable, the increase will no doubt meet some needs. It is better than not having any upward review. The increase may not align with economic realities, but it gives a sense of belonging for academics and other stakeholders.

“The stress of paying for conferences and publications may reduce and eventually promote productivity. The anxiety and concerns on what happens after retirements is now reduced. The move is, to a large extent, confidence building that may reduce brain-drain in the higher education sector. I foresee increase in research and likely influx into the academic. People may now prefer academic to civil service, considering the package and retirement benefit. It is worthy of note that the increase will reduce social problem in the society as academics can meet the basic needs confidently,” he added.

Another lecturer in the university, Sheriff Omotayo, said, “The 40 per cent increase is not what was desired, but it can be considered a start in the light of the circumstances. It is hoped that eventually, the government would realise that academic staff have contributed and are still contributing immensely to the development of the nation and they deserve their just remuneration.”

Meanwhile, senior academics at the University of Ilorin have offered mixed reactions to the newly approved salary package for university lecturers, describing it as a morale booster that has come after years of struggle but one that still falls short of addressing the depth of hardship in the sector.

While some professors say the intervention offers modest relief and restores hope, others insist it remains inadequate when weighed against years of inflation, neglect and the personal financial sacrifices made by lecturers in the course of their careers.

Speaking on the development, Professor Bode Olumorin, head of a department at the University of Ilorin, said the new package, though welcome, barely compensates for over a decade of stagnation in academic remuneration.

“Yes, when you think about the number of years we have been fighting since 2009 and something is coming in, you will feel relaxed that at least they have done something. But when you look at it in totality, you will know that this thing is not going any longer,” he said.

Prof. Olumorin recalled that lecturers began agitating for improved welfare when the minimum wage stood at N9,000.

“We started fighting when the minimum wage was just N9,000. From N9,000 they moved it to N18,000, then N30,000, and now, N70,000. Look at the number of times they have increased salary for others and the number of times they have just increased this one. It does not make any difference,” he said.

He noted that rising inflation has eroded the value of the new increment, describing it as a fraction of what is required to restore dignity to the profession.

Prof Olumorin also lamented the heavy personal financial burden borne by lecturers in conducting research.

“If you don’t write papers, you will not be promoted. But the government is not providing special money for research,” he said.

The professor further narrated how economic hardship has forced lecturers into humiliating daily routines.

“Some lecturers abandon their cars and join public buses to school. It is an embarrassment. A lecturer will come to school three times instead of five because transport is a problem. Who is earning that kind of salary?” he asked.

According to him, commuting from his residence in Amayo costs N10,000 daily.

“With my Sienna, every time I go to school and come back, N10,000 is gone. Multiply that by five days and four weeks. It is not easy,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Olumorin said the new package could bring modest relief.

“Now, at least there will be some change. I can begin to think of repairing my car. Maybe in the next six months I will repaint it. That is the case with most professors,” he added.

Also speaking, Professor Gafar Iyaya, an economist at the University of Ilorin, described the agreement as the first meaningful engagement with academics in 16 years.

“For the first time in 16 years, we are able to see a government that listened to us and was able to give something to us, no matter how small. It is commendable,” he said.

Prof Iyaya said the intervention would serve as a morale booster and could restore stability in the university system.

“It is a morale booster. It shows that somebody has listened to us. Strike has always been our weapon. Now that they have listened, it will bring stability. Students will now know when they will graduate,” he said.

He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for keeping his word on addressing lecturers’ grievances.

The economist also highlighted the pension provision for professors as one of the most significant aspects of the agreement.

He revealed that the package had already begun to reverse brain-drain.

“Some of our colleagues who left the country are already calling to come back. They want to retire at home. The agreement provides sustainability,” he said.

Iyaya added that many young academics who were considering leaving the system had reconsidered.

“Our young colleagues who were thinking of leaving are now calling to stay. That is a big relief,” he noted, adding that the same gesture should be extended to teachers.

Professor Mikhail Nafiu Olugbenro also expressed cautious optimism, stressing that much would depend on implementation.

“We anticipate a difference, but until we receive the package, we will know where we actually are. We hope the government would not deceive us,” he said.

He raised concerns about taxation and the secrecy surrounding the details of the agreement.

Prof Olugbenro said poor welfare had affected staff retention and student mentorship.

“Many of our students are not willing to join academics because they see the hardship we go through. Some professors cannot even come to campus with their cars. They board commercial vehicles,” he said.

He added that financial strain had affected lecturers’ ability to give students adequate attention.

For Professor Issa Sanusi of the Centre for Ilorin Studies, however, the new package is far from deserving celebration.

“For more than three decades, we have been suffering. We have been subjected to abject poverty. I don’t see anything to jubilate about,” he said, lamenting what he described as systemic neglect of lecturers.