FG approves 35% hazard allowance increase for NASU members in federal universities

The Federal Government has approved a 35 per cent increase in hazard allowances for junior and senior members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.

The new allowance package takes effect from January 1, 2026, following an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026.

The approval was conveyed in a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) in Abuja on July 20, 2026.

The circular, signed by the Acting Secretary of the commission, Adighiogu Chiadi, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; ministers; and heads of government agencies.

The circular stated: “Following the agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions dated 29th June 2026, the Federal Government has approved the payment of the following allowances to non-teaching staff members of NASU in Federal Universities.”

Under the revised package, the annual laboratory hazard allowance for employees on CONTISS 1–5 was increased from ₦180,000 to ₦243,000, representing a 35 per cent increase. For workers on CONTISS 6–15, the allowance rose from ₦360,000 to ₦486,000, also representing a 35 per cent increase.

NASU had proposed annual hazard allowances of ₦360,000 for CONTISS 1–5 staff and ₦720,000 for employees on CONTISS 6–15.

The Federal Government also reviewed responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching staff.

Under the new structure, the annual responsibility allowance for registrars and bursars increased from ₦750,000 to ₦840,000, representing a 12 per cent increase, although the union had demanded ₦1.5 million annually.

Deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will now receive ₦480,000 annually, compared to the union’s demand of ₦600,000.

Directors, who previously had no responsibility allowance, will now receive ₦600,000 annually, meeting NASU’s demand in full.

Similarly, heads of sections, who previously had no approved responsibility allowance, will now earn ₦150,000 annually, although the union had sought ₦900,000.

The government also approved upward reviews of field trip, teaching practice and industrial supervision allowances.

Staff on CONTISS 1–5 will now receive ₦81,000 annually, up from ₦60,000, while employees on CONTISS 6–12 will earn ₦108,000, compared to the previous ₦80,000.

For officers on CONTISS 13–15, the allowance increased from ₦100,000 to ₦135,000 annually.

NASU had proposed annual rates of ₦120,000, ₦160,000 and ₦200,000 for the three categories respectively.

The Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP) allowance was also reviewed upward.

Employees on CONTISS 1–5 will now receive ₦81,000 annually instead of ₦60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will earn ₦108,000, up from ₦80,000.

For CONTISS 13–15 officers, the previous range of ₦60,000 to ₦100,000 was harmonised to ₦135,000 annually, although the union had requested ₦200,000.

The circular further stated that the Provision Tools Allowance (PTA) has been absorbed into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CATA), while laboratory student-to-staff ratio supplementation will now be covered under excess workload arrangements.

The review followed months of negotiations between the Federal Government and NASU after the union argued that the allowances approved under the 2009 agreement had become inadequate due to inflation and the rising cost of living.