FG Approves Higher Hazard Allowances for Federal University Workers, Raises Top Benefit to N486,000

The Federal Government has approved an upward review of hazard allowances and other earned benefits for members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in federal universities, with the highest annual hazard allowance now set at N486,000.

The revised remuneration package, which takes retrospective effect from January 1, 2026, was conveyed in a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on July 20, 2026, following an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026.

The circular, signed by the Acting Secretary of the Commission, Adighiogu A. Chiadi, was addressed to top 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 and heads of government agencies.

According to the circular, the Federal Government approved the payment of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance and reviewed earned allowances for eligible non-teaching staff in federal universities.

One of the major highlights of the package is the increase in laboratory, workshop, studio, clinical and occupational hazard allowances.

Staff on CONTISS 1–5 will now receive N243,000 annually, up from N180,000, representing an increase of N63,000. Although the increase falls short of NASU’s demand for N360,000 annually, it marks a significant improvement over the previous rate.

For employees on CONTISS 6–15, the annual hazard allowance has been raised from N360,000 to N486,000, an increase of N126,000. The union had sought N720,000 annually for this category.

The commission also retained existing provisions for call duty, shift duty and clinical hazard allowances in line with previous NSIWC circulars.

On high-risk allowances, the government stated that payments would continue under the Employee Compensation framework in accordance with the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010 and relevant NSIWC guidelines, rather than through a fixed annual payment. NASU had proposed a flat N300,000 annual allowance for affected workers.

The review also introduced enhanced responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching officials.

Under the new structure, registrars and bursars will receive N840,000 annually (N70,000 monthly), up from N750,000 (N62,500 monthly), although this remains below the union’s demand of N1.5 million annually.

For the first time, directors will receive a responsibility allowance of N600,000 annually (N50,000 monthly), fully meeting NASU’s request.

Similarly, deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will now earn N480,000 annually (N40,000 monthly), compared to the union’s demand of N600,000 annually.

The revised allowances are expected to improve the welfare of non-teaching staff in federal universities while reflecting the outcome of negotiations between the Federal Government and NASU.