In the recently renegotiated 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government has begun implementing important welfare provisions, such as raising the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers at federal universities by 40%.
In a formal statement and directive sent to vice-chancellors of federal universities on Monday, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed this information.
The most recent development comes after the updated agreement was signed on January 14, 2026, marking the end of months of talks to improve conditions in the nation’s public higher schools and prevent more strikes.
Alausa said, “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.”
According to the Minister, some federal universities have already started to raise salaries to match the increase in allowances, and others are anticipated to do the same.
To guarantee that eligible academic staff members receive the increased wages on time, vice-chancellors nationwide have now been explicitly instructed to incorporate the increase into their payroll systems.
“We are striving to guarantee consistent application across the country. After being informed, all VCs are expected to cooperate right away, Alausa continued.
The Minister emphasized the need to implement the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which is non-taxable and already included in the federal budget for 2026, in addition to the CAA.
He claims that the allowance has been processed through the required statutory procedures and has also been circularized by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
“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,” Alausa said.
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, workplace harmony, and quantifiable advancements in the caliber of higher education are our priorities, Alausa stated.
A major step toward resolving long-standing issues within the university system has been taken with the adoption of the revised allowances. ASUU had repeatedly used inadequate funds and unfulfilled agreements as justifications for its strikes.
In addition to promoting industrial peace, the government hopes that the actions will boost academic production in all of the country’s postsecondary educational institutions.
