NASU hazard allowance
The Federal Government has approved a significant upward 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, raising the annual hazard allowance for senior employees to ₦486,000 as part of broader efforts to improve workers’ welfare and maintain industrial harmony across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The decision, conveyed through a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), marks one of the most comprehensive reviews of non-teaching staff allowances since the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and university-based unions.
The NASU hazard allowance review follows an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026, with the revised payment structure taking effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026.
Senior Staff to Receive ₦486,000 Annually
One of the most significant components of the new package is the increase in the NASU hazard allowance for senior non-teaching staff on the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) Grade Levels 6–15.
Under the new structure, their annual laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical and occupational hazard allowance rises from ₦360,000 to ₦486,000, representing an increase of ₦126,000.
For junior staff on CONTISS Grade Levels 1–5, the annual allowance increases from ₦180,000 to ₦243,000, reflecting an additional ₦63,000.
Although the revised figures fall below NASU’s demands during negotiations—₦720,000 for senior workers and ₦360,000 for junior staff—they represent the first major review in nearly two decades.
More Benefits Beyond Hazard Allowance
The NASU hazard allowance increase forms only one part of a broader remuneration package approved by the Federal Government.
The NSIWC circular also approved:
Higher responsibility allowances for registrars, bursars and directors.
New responsibility allowances for deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors.
Increased allowances for heads of departments and heads of units.
A new annual uniform and protective clothing allowance.
Improved field trip, industrial supervision and teaching-practice allowances.
Revised Students Work Experience Programme (SWEP) allowances.
For the first time, laboratory, workshop and studio personnel across all CONTISS levels will receive ₦80,000 annually as a uniform and protective wear allowance.
Responsibility Allowances Reviewed
The Federal Government also reviewed responsibility allowances for senior administrative officials.
Registrars and bursars will now receive ₦840,000 annually, up from ₦750,000.
Directors, who previously had no approved responsibility allowance, will now receive ₦600,000 annually.
Deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will earn ₦480,000 annually, while heads of departments and units will receive ₦360,000 annually.
Heads of sections, who previously had no approved responsibility allowance, will now receive ₦150,000 annually.
These adjustments are intended to better recognise managerial responsibilities performed by senior non-academic staff within federal universities.
Earned Allowances Also Increased
The circular equally reviewed earned allowances linked to field trips, industrial supervision and teaching practice.
For workers on CONTISS 1–5, the allowance rises from ₦60,000 to ₦81,000 annually.
Staff on CONTISS 6–12 will now receive ₦108,000, while those on CONTISS 13–15 will earn ₦135,000 annually.
The Students Work Experience Programme allowance was similarly revised upward across all salary categories.
High-Risk Allowance Framework Retained
Despite the review, the Federal Government did not approve a fixed annual payment for high-risk allowance.
Instead, the NSIWC directed that such payments should continue to be implemented under the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010 through the existing employee compensation framework.
Similarly, the government declined NASU’s request for a separate project supervision allowance, explaining that project supervision already forms part of normal duties for relevant non-teaching staff.
The circular also directed that Excess Workload Allowance should be phased out gradually while retaining the existing payment rate pending its eventual discontinuation.
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Why the Review Became Necessary
NASU had consistently argued that most university earned allowances remained tied to the 2009 agreement, making them grossly inadequate in the face of inflation, currency depreciation and rising living costs.
The union maintained that non-teaching staff are indispensable to the effective administration of Nigerian universities, providing laboratory support, technical services, financial management, security, registry operations and student services.
Government acknowledged those concerns during negotiations that culminated in the June 29 agreement.
The revised NASU hazard allowance therefore reflects both inflationary realities and the government’s effort to reduce industrial tensions across federal universities.
Implications for University Stability
The approval comes as the Federal Government continues implementing agreements with university-based unions following the introduction of the new national minimum wage and the renegotiation of conditions of service for both academic and non-academic staff.
Recent months have also seen the release of five months of Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for eligible lecturers under the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU agreement.
By improving the NASU hazard allowance and related benefits, the government hopes to strengthen industrial harmony, reduce labour disputes and improve service delivery within federal universities.
Experts Call for Full Implementation
Labour analysts say the success of the new package will ultimately depend on timely implementation.
While the approval has been welcomed as a positive step, stakeholders insist that universities must receive adequate funding to ensure prompt payment without creating new salary arrears.
Experts also argue that periodic reviews should become institutionalised so that workers’ welfare keeps pace with inflation instead of waiting more than a decade between adjustments.
For many university workers, the revised NASU hazard allowance represents recognition of the hazardous conditions under which laboratory technologists, workshop personnel, clinical staff and technical officers perform their duties.
A Step Towards Industrial Peace
The latest review demonstrates the Federal Government’s willingness to engage with organised labour through negotiation rather than prolonged industrial disputes.
Although the approved figures remain below NASU’s original demands, they represent meaningful improvements across multiple categories of earned allowances.
Whether the package succeeds in preventing future industrial action will depend on faithful implementation, adequate funding and continued dialogue between government and university unions.
For now, the revised NASU hazard allowance signals one of the most substantial welfare improvements for federal university non-teaching staff in recent years, offering increased financial support while reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability within Nigeria’s public university system.
