- The Federal Government had commenced implementation of a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members effective January 2026
- Federal universities were directed to integrate the approved allowance into their payroll systems to ensure uniform nationwide compliance
- The implementation followed the renegotiated FG–ASUU agreement aimed at improving academic welfare, funding, and university autonomy
The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of key welfare provisions contained in its recently renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a significant step towards improving conditions of service for academic staff in federal universities across the country.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade. According to the statement, the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to honouring agreements reached with stakeholders in the education sector and maintaining industrial harmony within the nation’s public university system.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government has begun implementing a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, with effect from 1 January 2026. The ministry confirmed that some federal universities have already begun reflecting the approved increment in salary payments to eligible academic staff.
To ensure uniform application of the new allowance nationwide, the ministry stated that all federal universities have been formally notified to integrate the increment into their payroll structures. This, it said, would guarantee that all qualified academic staff benefit accordingly.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has announced that the Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation to implement the 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members, effective from 1 January 2026, in line with the agreement reached with the union,” the statement read in part.
Dr Alausa further directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to ensure strict compliance with the approved framework for implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). He emphasised the need for prudent financial management and urged university administrators to make judicious use of available resources to ensure the smooth rollout of the allowance.
The minister clarified that the payment had already been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), adding that its inclusion in the 2026 budget followed due statutory process.
He also called on university managements to take proactive steps to facilitate the prompt payment of both the CAA increase and CATA in line with NSIWC guidelines, noting that timely implementation would strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale, and improve outcomes in teaching, research and learning.
The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to honour agreements with education sector stakeholders and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, constructive engagement and the continuous improvement of quality education nationwide.
The current implementation follows the unveiling of a renegotiated FG–ASUU agreement last month, aimed at resolving long-standing disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The 2025 agreement concluded a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 pact, which was due for revision in 2012.
The breakthrough came under the present administration, following the inauguration of a renegotiation committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed in October 2024. Reached after about 14 months of deliberations, the agreement focuses on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and reforms designed to curb brain drain and reposition universities for national development.
A major highlight of the agreement is the 40 per cent upward review of academic staff remuneration, comprising the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance. The tools allowance is intended to support research, journal publications, conference participation, internet access, professional memberships and book procurement.
The agreement also restructures nine earned academic allowances to promote transparency and introduces, for the first time, a Professorial Cadre Allowance. Under this provision, full Professors will receive ₦1.74 million annually, while Readers will earn ₦840,000 per annum — a measure the government describes as transformative and essential to strengthening the academic profession.