The Federal Government has announced a 25 per cent increase in the salaries of academic and non-academic staff of its tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The increment will take effect from January 1, 2023.
The National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission (NSWIC) confirmed the approval of the new percentage increment in salaries in a letter to the Minister of Education on September 14, 2023.
The letter, signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the NSWIC, Ekpo Nta, stated that the 23.5 per cent increase earlier proposed had been revised to 25 per cent to account for the increased cost implications.
The letter also attached the circulars pertaining to the four salary structures in the tertiary institutions for the information of the minister. The letter expressed the commission’s satisfaction with the success of the informal discussions between the Federal Ministry of Education and the tertiary institutions-based unions. The letter assured the minister of the commission’s support for all efforts aimed at repositioning the education sector.
Another letter from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) dated September 21, 2023 also confirmed the increment.
The letter, signed on behalf of the Director of Human Resource of the OAuGF, Ajanaku F.O, listed the revised salary structures for academic and non-academic staff of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with effect from January 1, 2023.
The increment is expected to boost the morale and productivity of the staff of the tertiary institutions, who have been agitating for better remuneration and working conditions for a long time. It is also hoped that it will enhance the quality of education and research in the country.