The Federal Government has approved a fresh round of financial incentives for senior academics in Nigerian universities, marking a notable shift in its engagement with the tertiary education workforce.
Under the new arrangement, full-time professors will receive an additional N1.8 million annually, while full-time readers are set to earn an extra N870,000 each year as part of an improved remuneration structure.
The incentive, officially named the professorial cadre allowance, is designed to reward academic seniority and strengthen retention at the upper levels of university teaching and research.
Announcing the decision in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy emerged from ongoing efforts to reset relations between the government and university lecturers.
According to him, the allowance reflects a broader commitment to addressing long-standing concerns within the academic community.
“This is a targeted intervention aimed at recognising the workload, research output, and leadership responsibilities carried by professors and readers,” Alausa said.
“Our goal is to stabilise the university system and restore confidence among senior academics.”
The announcement was made during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), following months of consultations and revisions.
Education sector observers say the allowance could ease tensions that have historically led to industrial actions, although they note that implementation and sustainability will remain critical.
A senior official familiar with the negotiations described the move as “a confidence-building measure,” adding that it signals the government’s intention to prioritise university education amid wider economic pressures.
Further details on the payment structure and commencement timeline are expected to be released by the Ministry of Education in the coming days.