In a significant development for higher education in Nigeria, university professors are poised to gain an extra ₦1.8 million each year after the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reached a long-awaited agreement, concluding 16 years of negotiations.
This agreement, finalized on January 14, 2026, in Abuja, initiates a thorough reassessment of the salary structure for academic staff in federal universities, with adjustments effective from January 1, 2026, as sanctioned by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
A key aspect of this deal includes a 40% increase in the salaries of university academics, designed to enhance motivation, improve service quality, and tackle the ongoing issue of brain drain within the educational sector.
The updated salary framework will feature the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) alongside the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). This structure is aimed at addressing the specific needs of university lecturers, covering expenses related to journal publications, conference attendance, internet access, memberships in academic societies, and book purchases.
An important addition to the agreement is the new Professorial Cadre Allowance for full-time professors and readers. This provision ensures professors will receive ₦1.8 million annually, approximately ₦140,000 monthly, while readers will benefit from an additional ₦840,000 each year, or ₦70,000 per month.
The 40% salary hike will primarily be reflected in the consolidated academic tools allowance, acknowledging the unique academic and research responsibilities that university lecturers handle.
Moreover, nine Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) have been restructured to be directly linked to specific duties, including allowances for supervising postgraduate students, conducting fieldwork, clinical responsibilities, moderation, examinations, and leadership roles. This adjustment is intended to enhance productivity, accountability, and fairness within the academic system.
The new allowance framework, which is not applicable to part-time academic staff, is crafted to facilitate research coordination, improve academic documentation, and enhance administrative efficiency, allowing senior academics to focus more on teaching and mentorship.
During the announcement of the renegotiated agreement in Abuja, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa characterized the agreement as a pivotal moment that reflects renewed trust and a solid commitment from the government to maintain uninterrupted academic sessions in Nigerian universities.
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) expressed support for the agreement but cautioned that delays in negotiations with non-academic unions could disrupt harmony in the university environment.
In a statement released in Abuja, JAC hailed the January 14, 2026 agreement as a notable achievement following lengthy and challenging discussions, emphasizing that dialogue remains essential for resolving labor disputes in public universities.
However, ASUU raised concerns about alleged financial mismanagement and governance issues in certain universities. ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna highlighted that weaknesses in governance threaten accountability and stability within the academic framework.
Piwuna pointed out that, while university autonomy is recognized, its practical application is often lacking, with frequent instances of external interference in university operations.
He criticized the arbitrary disbandment of governing councils and the influence over vice-chancellor appointments, which undermine merit and institutional integrity. He also addressed promotion practices in recently established federal universities of education, alleging compromises in adherence to due process and established standards for professorial appointments.
While NASU and SSANU welcomed the new salary structure, they warned that these advancements would be insufficient if the Federal Government does not expedite the renegotiation of service conditions for non-academic staff, who play vital administrative, technical, and support roles in federal universities.
