The Chairman of the University of Ilorin Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Alex Morenikeji Akanmu, has welcomed the new agreement the Union’s national body signed with the Federal Government last Wednesday (January 14, 2026) in Abuja.
Dr Akanmu described the agreement as not just a landmark event but a historic episode that would have far reaching impact on the nation’s university system.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin in a telephone chat, Dr Akanmu, who is also the Ag. Director of Student Affairs, said that what is left is the anticipated full implementation of the agreement, which had hitherto taken the two parties several years and efforts to attain.
While saying that it is not yet uhuru, Dr Akanmu expressed the conviction that the implementation of the agreement would bring about peace on the nation’s university campuses at least for the next few years.
Dr Akanmu, who commended his colleagues for their patience over the years, expressed the hope that the agreement would be fully implemented.
He noted that the whole world is aware of the latest development and that there should be no reneging on the agreement by either of the parties, particularly the Federal Government, which is its implementor.
Dr Akanmu was particularly delighted with the new pension model for those that would retire in the rank of Professor, saying that it would have significant positive impact on the lives of those who are devoting all they have to generating new leaders.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had earlier unveiled the signed agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, which concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement.
The key highlights of the agreement include 40% salary increase for academic staff and improvement in pension benefits, which would see professors earn pension equivalent of their annual salary at their retirement age of 70.
The agreement also covers better university funding models with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, labs equipment, and staff development and the establishment of a proposed National Research Council (NRC) to fund research with at least 1% of the country’s GDP
Also included in the agreement is specific arrangement that would promote stronger university autonomy and academic freedom among lecturers as it also says that eligibility for academic leadership positions such as Deans of Faculties and Provots of Colleges of Medicine/Health Sciences would be open to only those who have attained the rank of Professor.
The agreement took effect from January 1, 2026, and it is subject to review after three years.
It was also resolved that there would be no victimisation of anyone involved in the struggle during the course of drafting the new agreement.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, particularly Principal Officers of Federal Government-owned universities, including the Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla.