The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new ₦140,000 monthly allowance for professors across public universities. The decision follows a fresh agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), replacing the long-standing 2009 FG-ASUU pact.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the development on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, describing it as a huge step toward improving welfare and motivation for Nigerian academics. He explained that the newly introduced professorial cadre allowance is designed specifically for senior-ranking academics.
According to the minister, full-time professors will receive an additional ₦140,000 monthly, while university readers, those just below the rank of professor, will receive ₦70,000 monthly. Alausa clarified that the new allowance applies exclusively to full-time academics, excluding part-time lecturers.
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“This approval recognises the significant workload, administrative, scholarly, and research responsibilities borne by senior academics in our universities,” Alausa stated during the signing ceremony in Abuja. He described the allowance as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising higher education and addressing long-standing grievances within the academic sector.
Alongside the allowance, the new agreement includes a 40 percent salary review for all university teaching staff and a total of nine enhanced academic allowances with clearly defined funding responsibilities between universities and the federal government.
Alausa further assured that the Federal Government has fully secured the funds required for the initiative, noting that the approval was finalised only after President Tinubu confirmed financial readiness. “When the president was convinced that the funding was available, he signed off immediately,” the minister confirmed.
Education analysts say the move could ease tensions between ASUU and the government, which have been strained for years due to salary disputes and unmet agreements. With this breakthrough, the government’s renewed engagement may signal a more stable future for Nigeria’s higher education system and its academic workforce.
