FG Approves ₦1.8m Annual Allowance for Professors, ₦870,000 for Readers

The Federal Government has approved new annual allowances for senior academic staff in Nigerian universities, with full-time professors set to receive ₦1.8 million and full-time readers ₦870,000.

The new benefit, officially tagged the professorial cadre allowance, applies exclusively to lecturers within the professorial and readership ranks across federal universities. Government officials say the policy is aimed at improving staff welfare and strengthening the university system.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the approval on Wednesday in Abuja during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Dr Alausa said the allowance is part of broader reforms targeted at addressing long-standing welfare concerns raised by university lecturers, particularly those affecting senior academics. He noted that sustained dialogue between the government and ASUU led to the inclusion of the allowance in the revised agreement.

According to the minister, the Federal Government remains committed to improving working conditions in public universities to retain experienced academics and enhance teaching, research and innovation.

Officials at the event explained that the allowance is separate from existing salary structures and is intended to recognise the responsibilities, academic leadership and research contributions of professors and readers within the university system.

The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to stabilise the academic calendar and reduce industrial disputes in public universities, which have frequently disrupted academic activities in recent years.

ASUU representatives present at the meeting welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step towards addressing some of the union’s demands, although they stressed the need for full implementation of all agreed terms.

The government expressed optimism that the new allowance, alongside other elements of the renegotiated agreement, would strengthen trust between both parties and promote industrial harmony in the university system.

Further details on the implementation timeline and funding structure are expected to be communicated to universities through the relevant regulatory agencies.