The Federal Government (FG) has started implementing key welfare provisions agreed in the newly renegotiated 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), including a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers in federal universities.
The development was announced on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in an official statement and directive sent to vice-chancellors of federal universities across the country.
According to the statement, the implementation followed the signing of the revised agreement on January 14, 2026, after months of negotiations aimed at preventing further strikes and improving working conditions in public tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the development, Alausa said, “The Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation under the agreement by approving the 40 per cent consolidated academic allowance (CAA) increase for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026.”
He confirmed that some federal universities have already begun adjusting salaries to reflect the new allowance, while others are expected to start soon.
The minister said vice-chancellors have now been formally instructed to include the increment in their payroll systems to ensure that eligible lecturers receive the increased payments without delay.
“We are working to ensure uniform implementation nationwide. All VCs have been notified and are expected to comply without delay,” Alausa added.
In addition to the CAA increase, the minister stressed the compulsory implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which he said is not taxable and has already been included in the 2026 federal budget.
He explained that the allowance has also been approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and passed through all required statutory processes.
“Timely implementation of both the CAA and CATA will strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale, and improve outcomes in teaching, research, and learning across Nigerian universities,” Alausa stated.
The Education Minister also restated the government’s commitment to keeping agreements reached with stakeholders in the education sector, noting that the move supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our focus is on transparency, industrial harmony, and measurable improvements in the quality of higher education,” Alausa said.
The implementation of the revised allowances is seen as an important step toward addressing long-standing complaints within the university system, as ASUU has often blamed poor funding and unfulfilled agreements for its frequent strike actions.
The Federal Government expressed hope that the new measures will promote industrial peace and improve academic productivity in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
