The Federal Government has begun implementing the 40% increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers in federal universities.
This is according to a statement by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa on Monday, February 9, 2026.
The move follows the signing of the revised agreement on January 14, 2026, aimed at ending recurring strikes and improving working conditions in public universities.
According to Dr. Tunji Alausa, the increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members has been fulfilled.
He added that some federal universities have already reflected the increment in salary payments and that all institutions are being formally notified to integrate the increase into their payroll systems to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.
Dr Alausa directed vice chancellors to ensure strict compliance with the framework for the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and emphasised prudent financial management to facilitate successful rollout.
He further noted that the payment has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and included in the 2026 budget as part of statutory procedures.
The revised ASUU agreement comes after years of tension and periodic nationwide strikes over poor welfare provisions and funding gaps in public universities.
The breakthrough came under the current administration through the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee inaugurated in October 2024, which reached a conclusion 14 months later
The agreement also restructured nine earned allowances covering postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, clinical duties, examinations, and leadership roles to enhance transparency and fairness.
Additionally, a new Professorial Cadre Allowance was approved: full-time Professors will receive N1.74 million annually, while Readers will earn N840,000 per year, marking a structural measure to recognise experience, strengthen dignity, and boost the academic profession.
The Federal Government emphasized that the timely implementation of the CAA increase and CATA will strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale, and improve outcomes in teaching, research, and learning across Nigerian universities.
Dr. Alausa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honoring agreements with education sector stakeholders, promoting transparency and industrial harmony, and supporting the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance higher education quality.
In 2009, ASUU and the Nigerian government reached an agreement which was intended to address critical issues within Nigeria’s public universities, including improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers, and the establishment of a more conducive academic environment.
The most prolonged strike occurred in 2013, lasting approximately five and a half months, triggered by issues such as the non-payment of earned allowances and inadequate funding for university revitalization.
The last strike was a two‑week warning strike that began on October 13, 2025, after ASUU said the union later suspended the warning strike on October 22, 2025.
The last strike was a two‑week warning strike that began on October 13, 2025, after ASUU said the union later suspended the warning strike on October 22, 2025.