Lecturers in Nigeria’s public universities who fall within the professorial cadre will receive a monthly salary top-up of about M140,000 under a newly signed agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, describing the arrangement as part of broader reforms aimed at ending recurring strikes in the university system.
According to the minister, the allowance applies strictly to full-time professors and readers, with professors expected to earn over N140,000 monthly as additional pay, while readers will receive about N70,000.
He explained that although the allowance is calculated annually, it will be disbursed on a monthly basis.
The disclosure followed the signing and unveiling of a new agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government in Abuja, effectively replacing the long-standing 2009 pact.
The agreement introduces a new professorial cadre allowance and provides for a 40 per cent review of emoluments for university teaching staff.
Alausa said the approval marked the first time the Federal Government has formally recognised the additional academic, administrative and research responsibilities carried by senior academics in Nigerian universities through a dedicated allowance.
He stressed that the benefits apply only to full-time staff, noting that part-time professors and readers are excluded from the arrangement.
Addressing concerns about sustainability, the minister assured that the Federal Government has the financial capacity to fund the new pay structure.
He said President Bola Tinubu approved the deal after being satisfied that adequate funding was available.
The minister added that the revised salary framework clearly outlines which allowances are to be paid by universities and which will be covered directly by the Federal Government through personnel costs.
The agreement is seen as a major step by both parties to stabilise the academic calendar and restore confidence in Nigeria’s public university system after years of industrial unrest.
