Federal Government Approves 25% Salary Increase for Junior and 35% for Senior Lecturers in Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission, has given its nod for a substantial salary increment for academic and non-academic staff across all federal tertiary institutions in the country. This decision comes as a positive development for university and college employees who have long advocated for improved compensation.

Under the newly approved policy, junior staff at tertiary institutions will receive a raise in their salary increment, up from the previous 23.5% to a more generous 25%. Furthermore, the government has ensured that arrears for this increment, dating back to January 2023, will also be disbursed.

While the announcement did not directly address the matter of withheld salaries for academics and non-academics who embarked on strikes in 2022, it was revealed that the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, had previously contacted the Chairman of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission, Ekpo Nta, to inquire about the collective status.

Sources within the Ministry of Education have hinted that the minister's inquiry may have been prompted by visits from academic unions and the involvement of certain pressure groups.

In response to the news, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), confirmed that the union was aware of the development and eagerly anticipated its implementation. He indicated that the salary increment would affect junior lecturers with a 25% raise, while chief lecturers and professors would enjoy a 35% increment.

A letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, dated September 21, 2023, further confirmed the salary increase. This comprehensive policy will impact various sectors, including the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for Academic Staff, Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II for non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities, Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure for non-Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, and the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II) for Academic Staff of Federal Universities. These salary adjustments will all take effect from January 1, 2023.