FG-ASUU To Begin 40% allowance increase for varsity lecturers
Academic staff across Nigeria’s federal universities have begun receiving payments under the newly approved 40% allowance increase for varsity lecturers, as the Federal Government formally implements the long awaited adjustment. The development marks a major milestone in the government’s ongoing engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, aimed at stabilizing the nation’s higher education system and preventing further industrial action.
Federal authorities confirmed that the revised payment structure has now been integrated into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, ensuring immediate reflection in lecturers’ monthly earnings across federal institutions. The allowance, widely referred to as the Peculiar Allowance, is designed to compensate lecturers for the unique demands of academic work, including research responsibilities, supervision duties and scholarly contributions.
One of the standout features of the new structure is its tax free status. Unlike traditional salary increases that are subject to statutory deductions, the government structured this adjustment as a non taxable allowance. This significantly boosts lecturers’ net take home pay at a time when inflation and rising living costs continue to strain households nationwide.
Key components of the implementation include a 40 percent Peculiar Allowance tailored to academic responsibilities. The government has also pledged to settle arrears dating back to the commencement period agreed during the 2023 and 2024 negotiations. Despite previous concerns raised by ASUU regarding the IPPIS platform, the Federal Government utilized the system to fast track payments to staff across more than 100 federal universities.
Observers describe the rollout as a strategic breakthrough in negotiations between both parties. For years, ASUU has maintained that poor remuneration is a major driver of brain drain within the university system, with many experienced academics relocating to Europe and North America in search of competitive pay. Nigerian lecturers have often been ranked among the lowest paid on the African continent, intensifying concerns about the sustainability of quality education.
Education analysts believe the implementation of the 40% allowance increase for varsity lecturers could play a crucial role in securing a strike free academic calendar ahead of the 2026 and 2027 session. However, union leaders remain measured in their response, noting that while the financial adjustment is welcome, unresolved matters such as university revitalization funds and institutional autonomy still require concrete action.
The broader economic impact of the allowance is expected to extend beyond campus walls. Improved pay may help retain young academics within the country, raise morale among teaching staff and enhance research productivity. The immediate liquidity provided by the tax free increment is also likely to stimulate economic activity in university communities across Nigeria.
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With university bursaries already confirming receipt of updated payroll figures, attention now turns to the long term sustainability of the funding arrangement. While the payment of the 40% allowance increase for varsity lecturers represents a significant step forward, stakeholders say sustained commitment and structural reforms will ultimately determine whether the era of prolonged academic strikes can finally become a thing of the past.
Reporting for Songbux News.
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