FG begins implementation of 40% allowance increase for university lecturers

The federal government has commenced the implementation of major welfare provisions contained in its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), marking a key step toward addressing long-standing industrial disputes in public universities.

The agreement, signed on January 14, followed extensive negotiations between a government committee and ASUU leadership, which were concluded in 2025 as part of efforts to curb recurring strikes in the university system.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the government has approved a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026.

According to the minister, some federal universities have already begun reflecting the approved increment in their salary payments. He added that measures are underway to ensure uniform implementation across all federal universities.

Alausa said vice-chancellors have been formally directed to fully implement the allowance increase within their institutions and integrate it into their payroll systems to ensure all eligible academic staff benefit.

He also instructed vice-chancellors to adhere strictly to the approved implementation framework for the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), urging prudent management of available resources to facilitate prompt payment.

The minister disclosed that CATA has already been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), noting that its inclusion in the 2026 budget followed due statutory procedures.

Alausa said the timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would help improve staff morale, strengthen the academic environment, and enhance teaching, research and learning outcomes in Nigerian universities.