Federal Government Increases ASUU Academic Allowance by 40%

A 40 percent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers at federal universities is one of the major welfare provisions that the Federal Government has started implementing as part of the recently renegotiated 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In an official statement and directive sent to vice-chancellors of federal universities on Monday, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed this information.

The most recent event comes after the updated agreement was signed on January 14, 2026, after months of talks to prevent more strikes and enhance working conditions in the nation’s public higher education institutions.

“By approving the 40% consolidated academic allowance (CAA) increase for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026, the Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation under the agreement,” Alausa said.

The Minister affirmed that while certain federal universities have already started to make compensation changes in line with the allowance rise, others are anticipated to do the same.

To guarantee that qualified academic staff members receive the increased salaries on time, vice-chancellors nationwide have now been explicitly instructed to incorporate the increase into their payroll systems.

“We are trying to guarantee consistent application across the country. All VCs have been informed, and they must cooperate right away,” Alausa continued.

The Minister also emphasized the need to implement the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which he stated is already included in the federal budget for 2026 and is non-taxable.

He asserts that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has also issued a circular about the allowance and that it has been handled via the required statutory channels.

Alausa declared, “The academic environment will be strengthened, staff morale will be raised, and teaching, research, and learning outcomes across Nigerian universities will be improved with the timely implementation of both the CAA and CATA.”

The education minister emphasized that the action is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding agreements made with education sector stakeholders.

“Transparency, industrial harmony, and quantifiable improvements in the quality of higher education are our priorities,” Alausa stated.

Since ASUU had repeatedly blamed inadequate financing and unfulfilled agreements for its repeated strikes, the introduction of the updated allowances represents a major step in resolving long-standing issues within the university system.

In addition to promoting industrial harmony, the government hopes that the actions would boost academic output at all of the country’s higher education institutions.