The Federal Government has announced the introduction of a new allowance specifically for university professors, which will boost their monthly earnings by more than ₦140,000. This development is part of a wider reform package that also provides a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers in federal tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, revealed this on Wednesday while speaking on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television.
The announcement followed the signing of a landmark 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), effectively resolving a 16-year stalemate over the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement. The deal is expected to improve staff welfare, boost funding, and promote stability within Nigeria’s university system.
Presenting the agreement in Abuja, Alausa described it as a major breakthrough for the tertiary education sector and evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering quality, affordable, and disruption-free university education.
According to the minister, the agreement clearly outlines nine upgraded Earned Academic Allowances, all of which have now been properly defined and structured.
He explained that professors will benefit from a newly created allowance known as the professorial cadre allowance, which serves as an additional monthly top-up exceeding ₦140,000. He added that sufficient funds have been secured to cover both the 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers nationwide and the newly enhanced allowances.
Alausa assured Nigerians that the agreement would not remain on paper, stressing that implementation had already begun. He noted that key meetings involving the President and the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission were held between December 20 and 30, leading to the release of an official circular authorising the welfare components of the agreement.
He recalled that President Tinubu had insisted he would not approve the signing of any agreement without guaranteed funding. Once the President was satisfied that the necessary resources were available, he authorised the deal.
The minister concluded by stating that the enhanced Earned Academic Allowances nine in total are now clearly itemised, ensuring transparency in who qualifies for payment, what services are compensated, and the overall cost to government.
