The Nigerian Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has officially announced a revision of the salary structure for academic staff in federal universities across the country. This update aligns with the recently enacted National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and comes into effect from 29th July 2024.
What’s New?
The new Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) introduces a significant increase in annual and monthly salaries for academic personnel, from entry-level Graduate Assistants to Senior Professors. This move is a key step in improving remuneration in the academic sector, ensuring competitiveness, and motivating high-quality teaching and research.
The revised salary scale applies to all federal public service academic staff, including university librarians, reflecting the government’s commitment to rewarding excellence and retaining skilled professionals in higher education.
Understanding the CONUASS Salary Grades
The salary structure is divided into grades (01 to 07), each representing different academic ranks:
| Grade | Academic Rank Example |
|---|---|
| 01 | Graduate Assistant / Assistant Lecturer I |
| 02 | Assistant Lecturer II / Lecturer II |
| 03 | Lecturer I |
| 04 | Senior Lecturer |
| 05 | Associate Professor / Reader |
| 06 | Professor |
| 07 | Senior Professor / Distinguished Professor |
| — | Librarian |
Each grade has multiple incremental steps (up to 13), reflecting years of service or progression within that rank.
Salary Highlights (Monthly Approximation)
- Entry-level lecturers (Grade 01, Step 1) now earn approximately ₦193,963 monthly.
- Senior Professors (Grade 07, Step 10) earn up to ₦789,724 monthly.
- University librarians receive salaries aligned with the top steps of Grade 7, around ₦789,724 monthly.
The salary increments are designed to reward experience and academic excellence progressively.
This revision comes amid growing calls for better pay in the education sector, which has faced brain drain and low morale issues in recent years. By revising salaries upward in line with the national minimum wage laws, the government aims to:
- Enhance the welfare of academic staff.
- Attract and retain qualified educators.
- Promote stability and growth in the Nigerian higher education system.
The NSIWC circular, dated 23rd September 2024 and signed by Chairman Ekpo U. O. Nta, was addressed to key government officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Ministers, and heads of various agencies. It formally directs the implementation of the new salary structure across federal universities starting 29th July 2024.
Academic institutions and their staff should familiarize themselves with the updated salary scales. Payroll departments will need to update their systems accordingly to reflect the changes and ensure timely payment.
References:
-
National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission Circular, September 2024
-
National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024
BREAKDOWN
How to Convert:
- The salaries shown are per annum (annual).
- To get the monthly salary, divide each annual figure by 12.
Monthly Salary Table (approximate):
| CONUASS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 193,963 | 198,419 | 202,875 | 207,331 | 211,787 | 216,243 | |||||||
| 02 | 216,643 | 221,887 | 227,132 | 232,377 | 237,622 | 242,866 | 248,111 | 253,356 | |||||
| 03 | 240,621 | 246,319 | 252,018 | 257,717 | 263,415 | 269,114 | 274,813 | 280,513 | |||||
| 04 | 292,638 | 301,761 | 310,884 | 320,007 | 329,130 | 338,253 | 347,376 | 356,499 | 365,623 | ||||
| 05 | 397,088 | 410,172 | 423,255 | 436,339 | 449,422 | 462,506 | 475,590 | 488,673 | 501,757 | 514,840 | 527,940 | 541,007 | 554,090 |
| 06 | 474,981 | 490,795 | 506,610 | 522,424 | 538,238 | 554,053 | 569,867 | 585,682 | 601,496 | 617,311 | |||
| 07 | 610,737 | 630,625 | 650,512 | 670,399 | 690,287 | 710,174 | 730,061 | 749,949 | 769,870 | 789,724 | |||
| Librarian | 789,724 |
- CONUASS: The salary grade level for university academic staff.
- Columns 1 to 13: Steps within each grade, representing incremental pay increases based on years of service or promotion within the grade.
- Salaries: The annual amounts approved effective from 29th July 2024.
- Librarian: The separate salary level for university librarians, equivalent to the top of grade 7 in this structure.
1. Academic Ranks Corresponding to Each CONUASS Grade
While exact rank mappings can vary by institution, typically the Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) corresponds roughly to these ranks:
| CONUASS Grade | Typical Academic Rank(s) |
|---|---|
| 01 | Graduate Assistant / Assistant Lecturer I |
| 02 | Assistant Lecturer II / Lecturer II |
| 03 | Lecturer I |
| 04 | Senior Lecturer |
| 05 | Associate Professor / Reader |
| 06 | Professor |
| 07 | Senior Professor / Distinguished Professor |
| Librarian | University Librarian (usually senior ranks) |
2. Pay Increments Breakdown
- Each grade has steps (columns 1 to 13) representing years of experience or promotion within the grade.
- The salary increases incrementally at each step — typically annually.
- For example, Grade 01 starts at about ₦193,963 monthly and rises gradually up to around ₦216,243 by step 6.
- Higher grades have larger jumps; e.g., Grade 07 starts at about ₦610,737 monthly and can go over ₦789,724 monthly at step 10.
3. Monthly Take-Home Pay After Tax/Deductions
To calculate take-home pay, I’d need the following info:
- Tax rates (e.g., personal income tax bands in Nigeria)
- Pension contributions
- Other deductions (e.g., NHF, NHIS, etc.)A
Implementation-of-the-NNMW-in-the-Federal-Public-Service-CONUASS