FG approves N486,000 hazard allowance for varsity workers

The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a significant upward review of hazard allowances for non-academic staff in federal universities, aiming to improve remuneration for workers under the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The new package, which takes effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026, includes substantial increases in laboratory hazard allowances. Employees on CONTISS 1-5 will see their annual hazard allowance rise from N180,000 to N243,000, an increase of N63,000. For those on CONTISS 6-15, the allowance jumps from N360,000 to N486,000 annually, a N126,000 increment.

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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.

Despite these adjustments, the approved amounts remain below the union's demands. NASU had initially sought N360,000 annually for laboratory hazard allowance for senior employees and N720,000 for workers on CONTISS 6-15. The government also approved higher responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching officials, though these too were lower than the union's requests.

The circular detailing the approved package was issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission following an agreement reached between the government and NASU on June 29, 2026. The commission's acting secretary, Adighiogu A. Chiadi, conveyed the approval to various senior public officials. The government also confirmed the continuation of call duty, shift duty, and clinical hazard allowances, while high-risk allowance payments will be managed through the Employees' Compensation framework.

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The reviewed remuneration package takes effect from 1st January 2026.