The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of key welfare provisions contained in the 2025 renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), signalling what officials describe as renewed efforts to stabilise the university system.
Minister of Education Tunji Alausa confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade. He reaffirmed Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic staff and strengthening Nigeria’s public universities.
Alausa said the government had fulfilled its pledge to implement a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective January 1, 2025, in line with the agreement reached with the union.
“Some federal universities have already begun reflecting the approved increase in their salary payments. To ensure uniform implementation nationwide, all Federal Universities are being formally notified to fully cascade the approved increment across their institutions and integrate it into their payroll structures so that all eligible academic staff benefit accordingly,” the statement said.
The minister also issued a directive to vice-chancellors of federal universities, stressing strict adherence to the implementation framework for the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA). He urged university administrators to prudently deploy available resources to ensure smooth rollout of the allowance.
According to Alausa, the payment has already been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), while its inclusion in the 2026 budget remains a formal statutory requirement.
He called on university managements to take proactive measures to ensure prompt payment of the approved CATA in line with NSIWC guidelines.
The minister noted that timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would boost staff morale, strengthen the academic environment and improve outcomes in teaching, research and learning across Nigerian universities.
The government reiterated its commitment to honouring agreements with stakeholders in the education sector, pledging continued engagement, transparency and industrial harmony in pursuit of quality education nationwide.
