FG Approves ₦1.74m Annual Professorial Allowance for Professors, ₦840,000 for Readers in Landmark ASUU Deal

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a significant boost to the welfare of senior academics, the Federal Government has approved a new Professorial Cadre Allowance for full-time professors and readers in Nigerian federal tertiary institutions, as part of the historic renegotiated agreement signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Under the new structure, full-time professors will receive an additional ₦1.74 million annually (equivalent to approximately ₦140,000 per month), while readers (the rank immediately below professor) will earn ₦840,000 annually (about ₦70,000 per month).

This allowance, introduced for the first time by the government, applies exclusively to full-time senior academics and excludes part-time staff.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement during the official unveiling and signing ceremony of the renegotiated 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement in Abuja.

He described the professorial cadre allowance as “structural, practical, and transformative,” designed to recognize the heavy scholarly, administrative, research, and mentorship responsibilities shouldered by professors and readers.

The measure aims to support research coordination, academic documentation, correspondence, and administrative efficiency, allowing senior academics to focus more on teaching, innovation, and knowledge production.

The allowance forms part of broader reforms in the agreement, which includes a 40 per cent upward review of emoluments for academic staff in federal universities, effective from January 1, 2026.

This salary enhancement is implemented through a Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) combined with a strengthened Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), covering essentials like journal publications, conference participation, internet access, learned society memberships, and books.

Additionally, nine previously earned academic allowances have been restructured for greater transparency, with payments now strictly tied to specific duties such as postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical responsibilities, examinations, and leadership roles.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of these measures reflects his commitment to addressing long-standing welfare issues, reversing brain drain, boosting morale, improving service delivery, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.

A circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), dated December 30, 2025, has already directed implementation starting January 1, 2026.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, welcomed the agreement as a major step toward rescuing the troubled university system after prolonged negotiations that began in 2017.

He commended the government’s uncommon commitment but cautioned that deeper structural problems, including weak university autonomy, governance gaps, and socio-economic challenges, still threaten sustainability. He urged swift passage of a National Research Council Bill to fund research at 1% of GDP.

The deal marks the end of a 16-year stalemate since the last agreement in 2009, promising greater industrial harmony, predictable academic calendars, and renewed trust between the government and lecturers. Stakeholders view it as a decisive turning point for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While the focus is on federal institutions, the announcement has sparked calls from other unions like NASU and SSANU for similar welfare extensions.

Implementation is expected to begin immediately, with payments reflected in the affected academics’ salaries. This development is seen as a positive step toward revitalizing higher education and retaining top talent in the country.