The Federal Government has approved a review of hazard allowances and other earned benefits for members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.
Under the revised package, senior laboratory personnel will now receive an annual hazard allowance of up to N486,000, with the new salary structure taking retrospective effect from January 1, 2026.
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The approval was communicated through a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on July 20, 2026. The decision followed an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026.
Signed by the Acting Secretary of the commission, Adighiogu A. Chiadi, the circular was distributed to key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies, and other senior public office holders.
According to the circular, the government approved the implementation of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance alongside revised earned allowances for eligible non-academic personnel in federal universities.
The commission stated that the new remuneration package became effective from January 1, 2026, in line with the agreement reached with NASU.
One of the major adjustments is the increase in laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical, and occupational hazard allowances.
Employees on the CONTISS 1–5 salary scale will now receive N243,000 annually, up from N180,000 under the 2009 agreement, representing an increase of N63,000. The union had proposed an annual allowance of N360,000.
For officers on CONTISS 6–15, the annual hazard allowance has been raised from N360,000 to N486,000, reflecting an increase of N126,000. However, this falls below NASU’s request for N720,000 annually.
The circular also maintained the existing provisions for call duty, shift duty, and clinical hazard allowances in line with previous NSIWC directives.
Regarding high-risk allowance, the commission explained that payments would continue to be processed under the Employee Compensation Scheme in accordance with the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010 and the NSIWC circular issued on September 22, 2023, rather than through a fixed yearly payment.
The government also reviewed allowances for field trips, teaching practice, and industrial supervision.
Under the new rates, workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive N81,000 annually instead of N60,000, although NASU had proposed N120,000.
For staff on CONTISS 6–12, the allowance increased from N80,000 to N108,000 annually, compared to the union’s demand of N160,000.
Employees on CONTISS 13–15 will now earn N135,000 annually, up from N100,000, while NASU had requested N200,000.
Students Work Experience Programme allowance revised
The Students Work Experience Programme (SWEP) allowance also received an upward review.
Personnel on CONTISS 1–5 will now earn N81,000 annually instead of N60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will receive N108,000, up from N80,000.
For officers on CONTISS 13–15, the previous allowance range of N60,000 to N100,000 has been harmonised at N135,000 annually. The union had proposed N200,000 for the category.
Uniform and protective clothing allowance approved
For the first time, the government approved an annual uniform and protective wear allowance for laboratory, workshop, and studio personnel.
Employees across CONTISS 1–5, CONTISS 6–12, and CONTISS 13–15, who previously did not receive the benefit, will now be paid N80,000 annually.
NASU had sought N240,000, N300,000, and N360,000 respectively for the three salary categories.
Additional provisions
The commission explained that the Provision Tools Allowance has now been merged into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
It further clarified that Project Supervision Allowance would not be introduced because project supervision already forms part of the responsibilities of the affected non-teaching staff.
Similarly, the Laboratory Students-to-Staff Ratio Supplementation benefit will now be accommodated under the Excess Workload arrangement.
The circular also directed that the Excess Workload Allowance should be gradually discontinued.
Under the existing system, officers on CONTISS 09–15 currently receive N3,500 per hour for excess workload, subject to a maximum of 52 hours annually.
Although NASU proposed increasing the rate to N10,000 per hour, the government retained the existing payment pending the planned phase-out.
The latest review implements the agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU after months of negotiations over the welfare of non-teaching staff in federal universities. The union had argued that allowances introduced under the 2009 agreement had become inadequate due to inflation, the depreciation of the naira, and the rising cost of living.
The approval is also part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to sustain industrial peace in public universities following the implementation of the new national minimum wage and ongoing discussions with university-based unions on salaries, allowances, and conditions of service.
In recent years, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have embarked on several industrial actions to demand improved remuneration, payment of outstanding earned allowances, and the full implementation of agreements with the government, maintaining that non-teaching employees play a vital role in the effective administration and operation of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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