Mirian Gom 
Education Minister Tunji Alausa during ASUU agreement signing
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government approves a new policy allowing university lecturers in the professorial cadre to retire at 70 years, alongside an enhanced allowance package aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s public university system.
Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa confirmed the development on Wednesday during the signing of a landmark agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Abuja.
Under the deal, full-time professors will receive an additional monthly allowance of over ₦140,000, while readers will earn about ₦70,000 as a top-up, paid monthly but calculated on an annual salary structure.
“This allowance is strictly for professors and readers in full-time employment,” Alausa says. “As long as you are a full-time professor or reader, you will receive the top-up.”
The agreement, which replaces the long-standing 2009 FG–ASUU pact, introduces a formal professorial cadre allowance for the first time in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. It also includes a 40 per cent review of emoluments for university teaching staff.
“For the first time, the Federal Government has approved a professorial cadre allowance recognising the heavy academic, administrative and research responsibilities of senior academics,” the minister says during the signing ceremony in Abuja.
Alausa stresses that the allowances do not apply to part-time lecturers.
“These benefits are strictly for full-time professors and readers,” he adds.
Addressing concerns about sustainability, the minister insists that funding is secured.
“When the President was satisfied that funding was available, he approved it. We have the resources to sustain the 40 per cent salary increase,” Alausa says.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello