Tunji Alausa
Abayomi Susan
The Federal Government has started implementing the salary agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), announcing a 40% increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective January 1, 2026. This move aims to improve staff welfare and stabilize the public university system.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to ensure full compliance, integrating the approved increment into their payroll structures so all eligible academic staff benefit. Some federal universities have already reflected the increase in salary payments.
The agreement also introduces a Professorial Cadre Allowance, with full Professors receiving ₦1.74 million annually and Readers earning ₦840,000 per annum. This allowance recognizes the significant workload, administrative, scholarly, and research responsibilities borne by senior academics.
The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) will support research, journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society membership, and book procurement, boosting productivity and reducing brain drain. The allowance has been circularized by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and included in the 2026 budget.
The agreement restructures nine earned academic allowances, linking payments strictly to duties performed, including postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, examination responsibilities, and leadership roles. This promotes transparency and fairness
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to honoring agreements with education sector stakeholders, prioritizing accessible, quality, and uninterrupted academic calendars. The implementation of the agreement is expected to strengthen the academic environment, enhance staff morale, and improve teaching, research, and learning outcomes.
The renegotiated agreement addresses long-standing disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, focusing on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom, and reforms to reverse sectoral decline and brain drain
The Federal Government’s implementation of the ASUU agreement reflects its commitment to constructive engagement, transparency, and continuous improvement in quality education nationwide.
