Nigerian government approves salary increase for tertiary institution staff

The Nigerian government has approved a new salary increase for academic and non-academic staff of all its tertiary institutions across the country, according to The Punch.

The percentage increment for junior staff of tertiary institutions has been raised from 23.5% to 25%, and the arrears of the increment from January 2023 will be paid.

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, earlier wrote to the Chairman of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission (NSIWC), Ekpo Nta, to demand the status of the collective.

Sources within the Ministry of Education informed The Punch that the decision of the minister to write the NSIWC might not be unconnected from visitations by some of the academic unions and intervention by some pressure groups.

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, informed The Punch that the union heard of the news and was looking forward to the implementation.

“Definitely, we heard of it and we are looking forward to it. There will be 25% increment for junior lecturers while chief lecturers and professors will benefit from 35% increment,” he said.

The National Vice-President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, told The Punch that such a letter would be addressed to the management of universities and not ASUU.

The Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the NSIWC, Eyo Nta, wrote a letter to the Minister of Education on September 14, 2023 shortly before his departure to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The letter reads: “I refer to your letter No. FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.I/IT?/90 dated 8th September 2023 in respect of the above-subject. Find attached the circulars pertaining to the four salary structures in the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for your information (attached).

“The 23.5% earlier reflected in our letter SWC/S/04/S.149/I/59 of 28 July 2022 and stated in paragraph 2 of your letter, has been increased to 25% which accounted for the increased cost implications. This Commission is really pleased with the success your informal discussions have achieved. We shall endeavour to support all your efforts aimed at repositioning the education sector. Please accept the assurances of my warm regards.”

Following this, the commission proceeded to issue a circular also dated September 14, 2023 and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation among others informing them of the implementation of the newly reviewed salaries.

The circular reads, “The Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the various stages of collective bargaining in various sectors, and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions, and consequent upon the Federal Government’s approval, as well as 2023 budgetary provisions, approval is hereby conveyed for the revision of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for academic staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January 2023.”

Also, a letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation dated September 21, 2023 confirmed the increment.

Credit: The Punch

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