BREAKING: FG Approves 40% Pay Rise —Non-Academic Staff Left Out

Nigeria’s university system has been thrown into fresh debate following confirmation that the Federal Government’s newly approved 40% salary increase applies strictly to lecturers, leaving non-academic university workers completely excluded from the landmark deal.

The historic agreement, signed between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ends a 16-year renegotiation stalemate and delivers a major financial boost to academic staff alone — professors, readers, senior lecturers, and other teaching personnel in federal universities.

ZANCEN YAU 247 has gathered that, according to official details of the agreement, the 40% increment is tied to the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONUASS) and enhanced academic-specific allowances, particularly the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) meant for research, publications, conferences, and teaching support.

   ZANCEN YAU 247  has learned that non-academic staff — including administrative officers, technologists, clerks, security personnel, and cleaners — are NOT covered. Workers under unions such as SSANU and NASU were not part of the agreement and will not receive the salary increase unless separate negotiations are concluded.

A reliable source disclosed to ZANCEN YAU 247 that under the new deal:
Academic staff receive up to 40% increase in total earnings
Senior academics like Professors and Readers enjoy additional monthly allowances
The deal takes effect from January 1, 2026

Government officials describe the package as a necessary step to boost research quality, improve teaching standards, and reduce brain drain in Nigerian universities.

However, the exclusion of non-academic workers has already sparked quiet anger and growing unease across campuses nationwide. Union sources say members feel marginalised, warning that selective pay increases could reignite industrial unrest in the university system.

Leaders of SSANU and NASU have reiterated calls for the government to urgently conclude their own stalled negotiations, stressing that universities cannot function without non-teaching staff who keep the system running.

While the ASUU agreement may reduce the likelihood of lecturer strikes in the short term, analysts warn that excluding non-academic staff could simply shift the crisis, not end it.

While lecturers are celebrating a major financial victory, non-academic staff remain on the sidelines, waiting — and watching

As universities resume activities under this new arrangement, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to see whether inclusive reforms will follow — or whether Nigeria’s campuses are heading for another round of labour tensions.

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