Federal universities receive higher allocations after salary increase
Budget allocations to federal universities have risen significantly due to the Federal Government’s approval of a 40% salary increase for academic staff. The new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities also introduces enhanced allowances, including a special professorial cadre allowance. Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, confirmed that funding for these increases has already been secured. Several universities, such as the University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University, are among those seeing the largest boosts in personnel allocations.
What we know
- The Federal Government approved a 40% salary increase for lecturers and introduced a new professorial cadre allowance, granting professors a monthly top-up of over N140,000.
- Personnel cost allocations to the top 20 federal universities rose from N438.85bn in 2025 to N533.1bn in 2026, an increase of N94.25bn.
- The 2026 budget allocates N3.52tn to education, representing 6.1% of the N58.18tn national budget, with specific funds earmarked for interventions and programmes.
- The University of Ibadan saw the highest increase in personnel costs, rising from N25.13bn in 2025 to N37.52bn in 2026.
- Dr Tunji Alausa stated that the new allowances address long-standing demands and are now properly structured and funded.
