The Federal Government has officially commenced the implementation of the 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a significant milestone in the execution of the 2025 FG-ASUU agreement.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Monday in Abuja, confirming that the pay rise is effective from January 1, 2026.
To ensure that no lecturer is left behind, the Minister has issued a directive to all federal universities to immediately integrate the approved increment into their payroll structures.
While some institutions have already begun reflecting the new rates in their salary payments, the government is moving to bridge any gaps in implementation.
The Ministry stated that to ensure uniform implementation nationwide, all Federal Universities are being formally notified to fully cascade the approved increment across their institutions so that all eligible academic staff benefit accordingly.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the payment has been captured and circularized by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, noting that its inclusion in the 2026 budget is a formal statutory process.
The 40 per cent increment is a key component of the renegotiated agreement signed in January to replace the controversial 2009 pact.
Under the new framework, academic salaries will now comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and a newly introduced Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which accounts for the 40 per cent rise.
In addition to the general increase, a new allowance has been approved for full-time senior academics, with Professors set to receive an additional N1.74 million annually (approximately N145,000 monthly), while Readers will earn N840,000 per annum.
Furthermore, nine specific earned academic allowances, including those for postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, and clinical responsibilities, have been restructured to ensure transparency and are now strictly tied to duties performed.
This move serves as the practical fulfillment of the historic agreement reached between the Federal Government and ASUU earlier this year, intended to end decades of industrial actions that have crippled Nigeria’s public university system.
The Minister reiterated the government’s resolve to honor agreements with education stakeholders, describing the intervention as a structural and transformative measure designed to curb brain drain, restore dignity to the academic profession, and guarantee stable academic calendars.
ASUU leadership had previously expressed cautious optimism regarding the deal, with Union President Prof. Chris Piwuna acknowledging the government’s efforts while urging faithful implementation, a call the Federal Government appears to be heeding with this latest directive.
