The federal government’s proposed 40% salary increase for university lecturers is set to transform the remuneration landscape for Nigerian academics, marking what could be the most substantial adjustment in over a decade.
For years, lecturers in public universities have raised concerns over stagnant salaries, declining purchasing power, and a pay structure that has lagged behind rising living costs.
As negotiations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) near completion, a new pay framework is now within reach.
By 2025, lecturers’ salaries in Nigeria were composed of a basic salary plus allowances for housing, transport, research support, and, in some cases, academic productivity.
Different institutions, federal, state, and private universities, applied variations of this structure, but inflation had eroded its value over time.
Many academics relied on additional income from consultancy, external examinations, seminar facilitation, and part-time teaching to make ends meet.
It was against this backdrop that the federal government convened fresh negotiations with ASUU, led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
The discussions in Abuja culminated in a 40% salary increase, bringing the union closer to accepting terms previously deemed inadequate.
According to a document signed by ASUU President Chris Piwuna, the union is prepared to accept the revised pay structure “barring any last-minute change.”
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) weighed the consequences of rejecting the government’s offer during a meeting on Sunday, noting that prolonged refusal could result in further stagnation of lecturers’ earnings.
The government’s willingness to engage in extended discussions from Monday into Tuesday helped avert another potential strike.
An internal ASUU document stated:
“Government made several offers which were considered grossly inadequate and were accordingly rejected. After much push by our negotiators, a salary structure aligned with the Nimi Briggs Committee’s recommendation was offered. NEC considered the offer and proposed that it was in our best interest to accept it, as continued rejection would result in stagnation of our earnings over a protracted period.”
The revised salary structure introduces significant changes across all academic ranks:
Graduate Assistants (Grade Level 07): Previously N170,000–N220,000 → Now N238,000–N308,000
Lecturer II: Previously N250,000–N300,000 → Now N350,000–N420,000
Lecturer I: Previously N350,000–N400,000 → Now N490,000–N560,000
Senior Lecturers: Previously N520,000–N570,000 → Now N728,000–N798,000
Professors: Previously N850,000–N950,000 → Now N1,190,000–N1,330,000
The agreement goes beyond salaries, covering allowances, university autonomy, policy reviews, and sustainable funding.
Earned academic allowances will now be pegged at 12% of each university’s annual academic salary expenditure, in line with models already applied in some state universities.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to university autonomy, and agreed on a three-year review cycle for the signed agreements to prevent prolonged disputes.
Plans were also laid out for long-term funding, including the introduction of new taxes and executive orders to support education financing.
Future salary adjustments will also align with general increases in public service pay, ensuring that lecturers’ remuneration keeps pace with other public employees.
Additionally, the appointment of Governing Council members will continue under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, and merit-based selection for Vice-Chancellors will be maintained, rejecting the trend of appointing only indigenes of host communities.
These negotiations come amid growing tension in the academic sector, though Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa recently affirmed that the government had met ASUU’s demands.
With the new pay structure, Nigerian academics are set to receive a long-awaited boost in earnings, potentially ending years of salary stagnation and unrest in public universities.
