LECTURERS at the professorial level in Nigeria’s public universities will receive a new monthly allowance of up to ₦140,000 following a fresh agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday, Alausa explained that the newly approved “professorial cadre” allowance applies exclusively to full-time professors and readers.
While structured on an annual basis, the allowance will be paid monthly, with professors earning slightly over ₦140,000 and readers receiving about ₦70,000 as additional income.
The allowance is part of a landmark agreement signed the same day between ASUU and the Federal Government, which replaces the long-standing 2009 FG–ASUU pact.
The deal is aimed at addressing long-running disputes in the university system and curbing frequent industrial actions by lecturers.
Key elements of the new agreement include a 40 per cent review of salaries for university teaching staff and the formal introduction of the professorial cadre allowance.
Alausa noted that the approval marks the first time the government has instituted a dedicated allowance for senior academics in recognition of their teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.
He stressed that the benefit applies strictly to full-time academics, excluding part-time professors and readers.
Addressing concerns about sustainability, the minister said the government had secured adequate funding before approving the package, adding that the enhanced academic allowances—nine in total—have now been clearly structured between payments handled by universities and those covered by the Federal Government through personnel costs.