Federal Government Approves 30% Salary Increase for Non-Academic Staff
The Federal Government has announced a 30 per cent increase in the consolidated salary structure for non-academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This decision aims to address long-standing issues of labor tensions and improve morale within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The move comes after years of demands from non-academic staff unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), who have raised concerns over salary disparities and unpaid allowances. It follows the recent approval of a 40 per cent pay rise for academic staff by the Federal Government.
Despite this development, the National Executive Council (NEC) of SSANU has stated that no final agreement has been reached. The union has threatened industrial action if negotiations are not concluded by the end of April 2026.
In a letter dated March 30, 2026, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government confirmed the approval of the 30 per cent increase in the consolidated salary structures of non-academic staff. The increment will be implemented as a Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
Alausa emphasized that the decision reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of non-academic staff, who play essential administrative and technical roles in higher institutions. He added that the increase would also contribute to enhancing the quality, stability, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The directive, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission, and the National Board for Technical Education, included details of the implementation in an attached memorandum.
SSANU’s rejection of the agreement was outlined in a communiqué issued after a special NEC meeting held on Saturday at the union’s National Secretariat in Abuja. According to the communiqué, signed by the National President of SSANU, Muhammad Ibrahim, the negotiation process with the Federal Government is still ongoing and has not been concluded.
The council expressed concern over misleading reports suggesting that the process had been finalized. It specifically highlighted the circulation of a letter allegedly indicating approval of the 30 per cent increase, while insisting that discussions were still ongoing and no binding agreement had been signed.
NEC reiterated that SSANU will not accept any outcome that falls below the negotiated understanding and emphasized the importance of fairness, due process, and collective bargaining principles. The council reaffirmed its ultimatum given to the Federal Government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude negotiations and sign agreements.
Failure to meet the deadline, according to the communiqué, would leave the unions with no choice but to embark on industrial action. The council warned that SSANU “will have no alternative but to, along with NASU, commence an indefinite, comprehensive, and total industrial action.”
The communiqué urged members across all branches to remain calm but vigilant, and to stay united in readiness to comply with any directives issued by the union leadership. It further reiterated SSANU’s commitment to defending members’ rights and welfare, stating that the union “will continue to pursue justice with firmness, unity, and resolve.”
The latest warning follows an earlier communiqué issued after SSANU’s 54th National Executive Council meeting, where the union expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of renegotiations and issued a final ultimatum to the Federal Government. At the time, SSANU also raised concerns over salary delays, poor funding of universities, and deteriorating working conditions across the system.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Colleges of Education has directed provosts of federal colleges of education to commence necessary processes for the implementation of the new payment plan. The memo, issued on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Angela Ajala, instructed bursars and institutional heads to take note of the development and align with the new salary structure.
Both unions have repeatedly embarked on industrial actions in recent years, protesting what they described as inequitable treatment compared to academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Strikes by SSANU and NASU have disrupted administrative operations across campuses, affecting student services, examination processing, and institutional governance.
Their demands have typically included improved remuneration, payment of earned allowances, and inclusion in government intervention funds.
