In a significant development for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the Federal Government (FG) has approved a new monthly professorial allowance of ₦140,000 for senior academics following the signing of a renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). This measure, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, marks one of the most important improvements in lecturer welfare in recent history and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen university education and end persistent industrial disputes.
A Historic Agreement with Tangible Gains
The new allowance is part of a comprehensive deal signed in Abuja, which also includes a 40% salary review for all academic staff in federal universities. The professorial allowance, structured to recognise the advanced responsibilities of senior academics, is designed to boost morale, support research and administration, and create a more stable academic environment.
During a live television interview, the Minister of Education explained that the professorial cadre allowance applies strictly to full-time professors and readers — the most senior teaching ranks in Nigerian universities. Under the new structure, full-time professors will receive an additional ₦140,000 per month, while readers (senior lecturers just below professor) will receive ₦70,000 per month.
Supporting Research, Leadership and Administrative Duties
The allowance acknowledges the depth of duties undertaken by professors and readers, which extend far beyond classroom teaching to include:
- Coordinating research projects and academic publications
- Supervising postgraduate students
- Managing departmental and faculty administration
- Driving innovation and mentorship programmes
- Engaging in national and international academic collaborations
By recognising these contributions financially, the government aims to encourage senior academics to devote more energy to scholarship, mentorship, and institutional leadership — areas that are vital for enhancing academic quality and global competitiveness.
Part of a Broader Pay and Welfare Package
The new professorial allowance is not an isolated benefit. It is embedded in a renegotiated collective agreement between FG and ASUU that also features:
- A 40% upward review of academic salaries, effective from January 1, 2026, approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission
- Restructured earned academic allowances, tied to duties such as postgraduate supervision and exams
- Consolidated academic tools allowances designed to fund journals, books, conferences, and internet access for lecturers
These provisions collectively aim to overhaul the remuneration landscape in public universities, making academic careers more attractive and sustainable.
A Milestone for Industrial Harmony in Tertiary Education
The agreement — decades in the making — represents a turning point for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. It comes after prolonged negotiations to update a pact dating back to 2009, which, due to repeated delays and disagreements, contributed to frequent strikes and academic disruptions. With the latest deal now signed and implementation underway, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s public universities will experience greater stability and uninterrupted academic calendars.
ASUU leaders have welcomed the professorial allowance and other provisions, describing them as crucial steps toward improving academic conditions and restoring confidence in the higher education system. With these changes, Nigeria moves closer to aligning lecturer welfare with the demanding roles expected of academic professionals.
What This Means for Academia and Students
The introduction of the professorial allowance and salary enhancements is expected to:
- Reduce brain drain by making university careers more financially rewarding
- Improve research output and global academic rankings
- Encourage stability in the academic calendar — benefiting students and parents
- Strengthen institutional capacities and leadership at senior levels
Overall, the allowance underscores a renewed commitment to valuing academic excellence and ensuring that educators are compensated in ways that reflect their contribution to national development.
