Key welfare provisions from the renegotiated 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have begun to be implemented. One such provision is a 40 percent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for academic staff at federal universities, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.
On Monday, February 9, 2026, Vice-chancellors received a directive and announcement from Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, announcing the development. Following extensive discussions that ended in 2025 with the goal of preventing future strikes and enhancing conditions in public colleges, the new agreement was signed on January 14, 2026.
Alausa said, “By approving the 40 percent consolidated academic allowance (CAA) increase for ASUU members, with effect from January 1, 2026, the Federal Government has fulfilled its obligation under the agreement.”
He pointed out that efforts are being made to guarantee consistent implementation across the country, and that several federal colleges have already started to reflect the increase in wage payments. To ensure that eligible academic staff members receive the increase as soon as possible, all vice-chancellors have been formally instructed to incorporate it into their payroll systems.
The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) is tax-free and has already been recorded and disseminated by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), according to the minister, who also underlined the importance of rigorous adherence to the implementation framework. The 2026 budget included it once it was vetted through the usual legislative routes.
“The academic environment will be strengthened, staff morale will be raised, and teaching, research, and learning outcomes across Nigerian universities will be improved with the timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA,” Alausa continued.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding agreements with stakeholders in the education sector, encouraging openness and industrial harmony, and continuing to improve the standard of higher education.
