The Federal Government has started implementing key welfare provisions of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), including a 40% increase in salary-related allowances.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Education on Monday, the increment took effect on January 1, 2026, reflecting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to honouring agreements and sustaining industrial harmony in public universities.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa confirmed that some federal universities have already integrated the increase into their payrolls, while directives have been issued to ensure nationwide compliance. Vice chancellors were instructed to strictly follow the framework for implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), with emphasis on prudent financial management.
“The Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation to implement the 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members, effective January 1, 2026,” the statement read.
The renegotiated agreement, concluded in late 2025 after years of stalled talks, revises the 2009 FG–ASUU pact. It focuses on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom, and reforms to curb brain drain.
Under the new structure, salaries now include the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which supports research, publications, conferences, internet access, and book procurement.
The deal also restructures nine earned allowances to ensure transparency, tying payments strictly to duties performed, such as postgraduate supervision, clinical responsibilities, and examination duties.
For the first time, a Professorial Cadre Allowance was introduced: full-time Professors will earn ₦1.74m annually, while Readers will receive ₦840,000 per annum. The government described this as a transformative measure to recognise experience and strengthen the academic profession.
The Ministry reiterated that timely implementation of the allowances will boost staff morale, enhance teaching and research, and improve outcomes across Nigerian universities.
