Federal government has started implementing major welfare provisions contained in its newly renegotiated agreement with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), including a 40 percent increase in Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for university lecturers across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the revised agreement, which was officially signed on January 14, 2026, followed months of negotiations between government representatives and ASUU leadership. The deal was reached to address long-standing welfare concerns and reduce the frequent strikes that have disrupted academic activities in public universities.
In a statement released on Monday, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the government has approved the allowance increase with effect from January 1, 2026. He said the adjustment is already being implemented in some federal universities, where lecturers have begun receiving the updated payments.
Alausa explained that the government is working closely with university authorities to ensure the increase is applied uniformly across all federal institutions. He added that vice-chancellors have been officially directed to immediately integrate the new allowance structure into their payroll systems so that every eligible academic staff member benefits without delay.
The minister also instructed vice-chancellors to strictly follow the approved guidelines for the payment of the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA). He said institutions must manage available funds responsibly to guarantee timely and full disbursement of the allowance.
According to him, CATA has already been formally approved and issued through a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and its funding was included in the 2026 national budget after due statutory processes.
Alausa stated that the prompt execution of both the CAA increase and CATA payments would significantly improve staff morale, enhance productivity, and strengthen the quality of teaching, learning, and research in Nigerian universities. He added that improved welfare would also create a more stable academic calendar and reduce industrial disputes.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to honoring all agreements reached with education sector stakeholders, stressing that continuous dialogue, transparency, and cooperation remain central to efforts aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s university system for global competitiveness.
