The Nigerian Government has approved new salary enhancements and allowances for university lecturers, with full-time professors set to receive an additional ₦1.8 million annually, while full-time readers will earn an extra ₦840,000 per year under a newly introduced Professorial Cadre Allowance.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Under the new arrangement, professors will earn ₦140,000 monthly from the allowance, while readers will receive ₦70,000 monthly. The allowance applies strictly to full-time academic staff and excludes part-time lecturers.
The new allowance forms part of a broader remuneration review approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, with effect from January 1, 2026. Overall, academic staff in federal universities will enjoy a 40 per cent increase in earnings aimed at boosting morale, improving service delivery, enhancing global competitiveness and curbing brain drain.
After 16 years of negotiations marked by repeated industrial disputes, the Federal Government and ASUU formally signed the new agreement, which introduces a revised salary structure comprising the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).
The CATA component will account for a significant portion of the pay increase and is designed to support journal publications, conference participation, internet access, book development and membership of learned societies.
In addition, nine Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) have been restructured and tied strictly to duties performed. These include allowances for postgraduate supervision, clinical duties, fieldwork, moderation, examinations and leadership responsibilities, a move the government says will promote productivity, accountability and fairness.
Speaking at the event, Dr Alausa described the agreement as a historic turning point for Nigeria’s university system, symbolising renewed trust, restored confidence and a firm commitment to uninterrupted academic calendars.
However, ASUU raised concerns over governance weaknesses and alleged mismanagement of funds in some universities. ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, warned that poor governance structures, arbitrary dissolution of governing councils and interference in vice-chancellor appointments continue to undermine accountability, meritocracy and academic standards.
Piwuna also disclosed that the Chairman of the Federal Government/ASUU Renegotiation Team, Yayale Ahmed, was close to resigning during the talks due to prolonged deadlock and pressure, but commended all parties for eventually breaking the impasse through dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) welcomed the agreement but warned that failure to conclude negotiations with non-academic unions could threaten industrial peace.
In a joint statement, NASU and SSANU urged the Federal Government to fast-track discussions on their conditions of service, stressing that non-academic staff play critical administrative and technical roles in the university system.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that faithful implementation of the agreement would restore stability in Nigerian universities and strengthen the country’s higher education sector.
