The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of key welfare provisions under its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), including salary-related allowances, and has ordered full compliance across federal universities.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to honouring agreements reached with stakeholders in the education sector and to sustaining industrial harmony in public universities.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was quoted as announcing that the government had begun implementing a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The ministry confirmed that some federal universities have already reflected the approved increase in salary payments, adding that steps were being taken to ensure uniform implementation across all institutions.
“To ensure nationwide compliance, all federal universities are being formally notified to fully cascade the approved increment across their institutions and integrate it into their payroll structures so that all eligible academic staff benefit accordingly,” the statement said.
Alausa also directed vice-chancellors to ensure strict adherence to the framework for implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). He stressed the need for prudent financial management, urging university administrators to make judicious use of available resources to guarantee the successful rollout of the allowance.
The minister clarified that payment of CATA has already been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and that its inclusion in the 2026 budget follows due statutory process.
He called on university managements to take proactive steps to ensure prompt payment of the allowance in line with NSIWC guidelines, noting that timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale, and improve teaching, research, and learning outcomes across Nigerian universities.
The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to honour agreements with education sector stakeholders and reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement, transparency, and the continuous improvement of quality education nationwide.
