The Federal Government has approved an increase in hazard allowances and other benefits for members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.
Under a new remuneration package, senior employees will see their annual laboratory hazard allowance increase by up to N126,000. The revised allowances are effective retroactively from January 1, 2026.
This approval was communicated via a circular dated July 20, 2026, from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The circular followed an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026, and was signed by the Acting Secretary of the Commission, Adighiogu A. Chiadi. It was addressed to key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Head of the Civil Service.
The circular confirmed the approval of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance and a review of Earned Allowances for eligible non-teaching staff in federal universities. It stated: “Following the agreement between the Federal Government and NASU dated 29th June 2026, the Federal Government has approved the payment of the following allowances to non-teaching staff members of NASU in Federal Universities.” The new package takes effect from January 1, 2026.
Key highlights of the new package include an upward review of laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical, and occupational hazard allowances:
- For employees on CONTISS 1-5, annual hazard allowance increases from N180,000 (under the 2009 agreement) to N243,000, an increase of N63,000. (NASU had requested N360,000).
- For employees on CONTISS 6-15, the allowance rises from N360,000 to N486,000, an increase of N126,000 (NASU had sought N720,000).
Other allowances, such as call duty, shift duty, and clinical hazard, remain as previously stated in existing circulars. High-risk allowances will continue to be paid under the Employee Compensation framework per Nigeria’s Employees’ Compensation Act 2010, instead of as a fixed annual payment. NASU had proposed N300,000 annually for this category.
The government has also approved higher responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching officials:
- Registrars and bursars: increased from N750,000 (N62,500 monthly) to N840,000 (N70,000 monthly), below the union’s demand of N1.5 million annually.
- Directors: now receive N600,000 annually (N50,000 monthly), matching NASU’s request. Previously, there was no allowance for this group.
- Deputy registrars, deputy bursars, and deputy directors: N480,000 annually (N40,000 monthly), below NASU’s demand of N600,000.
- Heads of departments and units: raised from N300,000 (N25,000 monthly) to N360,000 (N30,000 monthly), compared to the union’s demand of N600,000.
- Heads of sections now receive N150,000 annually (N12,500 monthly), though NASU had requested N900,000.
Allowances for field trips, teaching practice, and industrial supervision have also been reviewed:
- CONTISS 1-5: N81,000 (up from N60,000; NASU had proposed N120,000)
- CONTISS 6-12: N108,000 (up from N80,000; NASU requested N160,000)
- CONTISS 13-15: N135,000 (up from N100,000; NASU sought N200,000)
The Students Work Experience Programme allowance was also raised:
- CONTISS 1-5: N81,000 (up from N60,000; NASU requested N120,000)
- CONTISS 6-12: N108,000 (up from N80,000; NASU requested N160,000)
- CONTISS 13-15: harmonized at N135,000 (previously N60,000–N100,000; NASU sought N200,000)
A new annual uniform and protective wear allowance of N80,000 has been introduced for laboratory, workshop, and studio staff across all CONTISS categories, though this remains below NASU’s requests.
Other notable provisions include:
- The Provision Tools Allowance is now integrated into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
- Project Supervision Allowance is not applicable, as project supervision is considered part of regular duties.
- Laboratory Students/Laboratory Staff Ratio Supplementation is covered under Excess Workload arrangements.
- The Excess Workload Allowance is to be phased out: officers on CONTISS 09-15 currently receive N3,500 per hour (max 52 hours annually), though NASU wanted this raised to N10,000.
This review comes after months of negotiations, with NASU emphasizing that current allowances—still based on a 2009 agreement—were no longer adequate due to inflation and rising living costs. The government’s move is part of broader efforts to maintain industrial harmony in universities, following the new national minimum wage and ongoing talks with university unions over pay and conditions.
NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities have both staged industrial actions in recent years to demand improved remuneration, payment of earned allowances, and implementation of negotiated agreements, stressing that non-teaching staff are vital to the effective operation of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
