The Federal Government has approved a significant upward review of hazard allowances and other earned benefits for non-academic employees in federal universities, a development expected to improve staff welfare and acknowledge the critical roles played by workers who support teaching, research and campus administration across Nigeria’s higher education institutions. The revised remuneration package takes retrospective effect from January 1, 2026.
The approval was conveyed through a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) following an agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). The circular was distributed to key government offices, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ministries, agencies and other relevant institutions responsible for implementation.
Among the major highlights of the revised package is the increase in laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical and occupational hazard allowances. Staff on the CONTISS 1–5 salary structure will now receive an annual hazard allowance of ₦243,000, up from ₦180,000, representing an increase of ₦63,000. Employees on CONTISS 6–15 will receive ₦486,000 annually, an improvement of ₦126,000 over the previous ₦360,000.
Although the approved figures are below the amounts earlier requested by NASU during negotiations, the new rates represent one of the most substantial adjustments to hazard allowances for non-teaching university personnel in recent years. The government also retained existing provisions covering call duty, shift duty and clinical hazard allowances in line with previous NSIWC circulars.
The decision is expected to benefit thousands of university employees working in laboratories, workshops, health centres, studios and other environments where they are routinely exposed to occupational risks while supporting academic activities. These personnel provide essential technical, administrative and maintenance services that enable universities to function effectively and sustain quality teaching, research and innovation.
For the education sector, the revised welfare package is seen as a positive step towards strengthening industrial harmony in federal universities. Improved remuneration has consistently featured among the demands of university-based unions, which have argued that better welfare is necessary to enhance staff motivation, productivity and service delivery within tertiary institutions.
The latest approval comes as the Federal Government continues to pursue reforms aimed at revitalising higher education through increased investment in infrastructure, human capital development and institutional stability. Stakeholders have expressed optimism that sustained engagement between government and university unions will further strengthen the nation’s tertiary education system and minimise disruptions to the academic calendar.
