Federal university workers in Nigeria are set for a significant pay boost as the Federal Government has approved higher hazard allowances and other welfare packages for non-teaching staff, while also rolling out allowance increases for academic staff.The move comes after months of negotiations between the government and university unions aimed at improving working conditions and preventing industrial action in public universities.
35% Hazard Allowance For Non-Teaching Staff
The major breakthrough for non-academic staff was reached between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU.
According to resolutions from the renegotiation committee led by Dr. Yayale Ahmed, the government agreed to a 35 per cent increase in hazard allowance for staff on CONTISS 6 to 15. The unions had initially demanded a further upward review, but the 35% represents a major concession.
The new package also includes: 35% increase on CONTISS as CONTTA
Excess workload allowance for officers on CONTISS 9 to 15
Improved responsibility allowances for bursars, registrars, directors, deputy registrars, deputy bursars, deputy directors, heads of unit and heads of department.
Uniform allowance for laboratory, farm, workshop, studio and health centre staff whose duties require uniforms
A circular from SSANU Federal University Dutse indicated that the proposed salary adjustment of 30 to 35 per cent and improved allowances would take effect from January 2026, similar to the arrangement granted to academic unions. The adjustment remains subject to final approval by President Bola Tinubu.
Staff have already started seeing results in some institutions. At Federal University Dutsin-Ma, workers celebrated in June 2026 after the management commenced payment of 5 months’ hazard allowance arrears. “It is indeed a happy day and I cannot exactly describe how I felt when I received the alert,” said Ibrahim Sunusi of the Radiology Department.
40% Increase For Academic Staff
While SSANU and NASU negotiated hazard pay, the Federal Government has already begun implementing a separate agreement with ASUU.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026. Some federal universities have already reflected the increase in salary payments.
The government also directed vice-chancellors to ensure strict compliance with the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), which has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and included in the 2026 budget.
In June 2026, the FG released funds for five months of CATA owed to eligible academic staff in federal universities, in accordance with the signed FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement.
The Education Minister said timely implementation would “strengthen the academic environment, boost staff morale, and improve outcomes in teaching, research and learning”.
Why The Approvals Matter
For years, university unions have complained that hazard and other allowances were too small to reflect the risks and workload of staff in federal universities. Laboratory technologists, health workers, farm and workshop staff often work in environments with exposure to chemicals, machinery and other risks.
The 35% hazard allowance increase directly addresses that. For non-teaching staff on CONTISS 1 to 8, the 35% CONTTA increase and hazard allowance are expected to apply. Those on CONTISS 9 to 15 will get CONTTA increase, hazard allowance and excess workload allowance.
The government framed the approvals as part of broader welfare reforms. In April 2026, the Head of Civil Service announced an upward review of peculiar allowance across grade levels and 100% Duty Tour Allowance for civil servants on training.
Union Reactions And Next Steps
SSANU and NASU suspended planned industrial action to allow further engagement after the breakthroughs. The renegotiation committee asked for two additional weeks to conclude discussions and secure final sign-off before implementation approval.
ASUU, meanwhile, has been pushing for full implementation of the renegotiated agreement signed in January 2026. While the FG says implementation has begun, some lecturers reported they were yet to see the 40% increase in their pay.
A Shift Toward Industrial Harmony
The approvals signal the Tinubu administration’s attempt to address long-standing grievances in the university system and avoid the strikes that have disrupted academic calendars in the past.
By increasing hazard pay for non-teaching staff and academic allowances for lecturers, the government is trying to balance the demands of both arms of the university workforce. For thousands of federal university workers, the higher hazard allowance represents recognition of the risks they face daily. For students and parents, it offers hope of a more stable academic calendar in 2026.
As Dr. Alausa noted, the commitment is to “constructive engagement, transparency, industrial harmony, and continuous improvement of quality education in Nigeria”.
