KEY POINTS

• The Federal Government announced a 40% pay rise and new allowances for university lecturers effective January 2026.
• Only a handful of federal universities have implemented the increase, leaving most lecturers unpaid under the new structure.
• ASUU confirms widespread omissions but says discussions are ongoing to ensure full nationwide implementation.

The Federal Government recently declared that it had commenced the implementation of key provisions contained in its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, including a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) and the introduction of a new Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA).

According to the Ministry of Education, the new welfare measures of ASUU took effect from January 1, 2026, and were captured in the national budget after approval by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government said the move reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of ASUU and ensuring stability in Nigeria’s university system.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa also affirmed that due procedures were followed and that payments had been formally circularised to institutions.

Reports Reveal Uneven Payment Across ASUU

Despite the government’s announcement, findings indicate that implementation of the pay rise has been inconsistent. ASUU at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and a few other federal universities confirmed receiving salary alerts reflecting the 40 per cent increment in January.

However, the majority of the country’s 74 federal universities reportedly continued to receive the old salary structure.

Institutions said to be yet to implement the increase include the University of Abuja, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Federal University Otuoke, Federal University of Lafia, University of Calabar, Nigerian Maritime University, Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences Kwale, and Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, among others.

Some lecturers disclosed that their university administrations informed them that the pay rise had not been captured in their budget allocations for 2026 and might only take effect in 2027, contradicting the government’s earlier assurances.

ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, acknowledged that many of the union’s branches had not yet benefited from the new wage structure. He described the situation as a case of partial implementation but noted that efforts were underway to resolve the gaps.

According to him, the number of universities receiving the updated salaries is gradually increasing. He also revealed that in some institutions, certain categories of lecturers—such as medical academics at Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, were excluded from the payment, though authorities are reportedly working to correct the oversight.