FG Unveils 2026 Agreements With SSANU, NASU, Other Tertiary Staff Unions

The Federal Government has announced new agreements covering academic and non-academic staff in Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, alongside provisions for approved allowances for eligible workers from January 1, 2026.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the development in Abuja on October 13, 2026, describing it as part of efforts to improve staff welfare, strengthen industrial relations and reduce disruptions to academic calendars.

Unions Covered by the Agreements

The agreements involve several unions including:

• Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU),
• Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
• Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU),
• Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP),
• Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU),
• National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT),
• Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP),
• Non-Teaching Staff Union of Polytechnics (NOTSUP),
• Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN),

Allowances for Academic and Non-Academic Staff

According to the government, the agreements provide for two categories of professional allowances.

1. The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) covers eligible members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
2. The Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) is intended for eligible non-teaching personnel across tertiary institutions.

The ministry did not specify individual payment amounts in its announcement. Eligibility and implementation are to be determined in line with the relevant agreements and guidelines.

FG Expands Monitoring of Union Agreements

The Minister of Education also announced plans to expand the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee established for the ASUU agreement to cover academic and non-academic staff unions. The agreements also provide for a review every three years, allowing the government and participating unions to assess implementation, address emerging concerns and negotiate adjustments where necessary.

The committee will track implementation milestones, assess progress, identify challenges and issue periodic reports to strengthen accountability. The government is also considering making the committee permanent.

What the Agreements Mean for Nigerian Students

The Federal Government expects improved staff welfare and stronger cooperation with unions to contribute to more stable academic calendars and fewer avoidable interruptions to learning.

However, the practical impact will depend on how effectively the agreements are implemented, allowances are paid to eligible workers and outstanding concerns are addressed.

The announcement therefore marks a step in the government's engagement with tertiary education unions, while implementation and monitoring will determine whether the commitments translate into sustained industrial stability.

Source: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation