The Federal Government has approved a new remuneration package for non-teaching staff in federal universities, increasing several earned allowances with effect from January 1, 2026.
The approval, contained in a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and dated July 20, 2026, implements an agreement reached with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) on June 29, 2026.
According to the circular, the government approved the payment of a consolidated non-teaching tools allowance and reviewed earned allowances for eligible NASU members in federal universities.
A major feature of the package is the review of the laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical and occupational hazard allowance, which was last revised in 2009.
Under the new rates:
- Staff on CONTISS 1–5 will receive an annual hazard allowance of ₦243,000, up from ₦180,000, representing an increase of ₦63,000.
- Staff on CONTISS 6–15 will receive ₦486,000 annually, up from ₦360,000, an increase of ₦126,000.
The circular also retained existing call duty, shift duty and clinical hazard allowances in line with previous NSIWC guidelines.
High-risk allowance will continue to be administered under the Employees’ Compensation framework rather than as a fixed annual payment.
The government also increased allowances for field trips, teaching practice, industrial supervision and the Students Work Experience Programme across CONTISS salary levels, although the approved figures remain below the amounts requested by NASU.
For the first time, laboratory, workshop and studio personnel will receive a uniform and protective wear allowance of ₦80,000 annually, regardless of salary grade.
The circular further stated that the former provision tools allowance has been merged into a consolidated non-teaching tools allowance. Project supervision allowance has been discontinued, while laboratory students-to-staff ratio supplementation will now be covered under excess workload arrangements.
Meanwhile, the excess workload allowance remains at ₦3,500 per hour, capped at 52 hours annually for officers on CONTISS 09–15. The government said the allowance will be phased out over time.
The review follows years of demands by NASU for improved earned allowances, arguing that rates introduced in 2009 had been significantly eroded by inflation and the rising cost of living.
The latest approval is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to maintain industrial harmony in the nation’s tertiary education sector while discussions continue with other university-based unions.
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