CONUASS Salary Structure 2026: University Academic Staff Salary in Nigeria

If you are searching for the CONUASS salary structure 2026, you are probably trying to find out how much university academic staff earn in Nigeria, what each CONUASS level means, and how the salary differs from one academic rank to another.

CONUASS stands for Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure. It is the salary framework used for academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities. The structure covers positions ranging from Assistant Lecturer to Professor, with different salary grades and steps attached to each rank.

In 2026, interest in CONUASS has increased following the Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement and changes affecting university academic remuneration. The 2026 arrangement includes CONUASS alongside the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). Reports on the agreement indicate that the reviewed academic remuneration took effect from January 1, 2026.

This guide explains the CONUASS salary structure for 2026 in simple language and helps prospective lecturers, serving academics, researchers and job seekers understand what the figures mean.

What Is CONUASS?

CONUASS means Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure.

It is a salary structure designed for academic employees of Nigerian universities. Instead of every academic position having an unrelated salary system, CONUASS provides grades and salary steps for different academic ranks.

The academic career structure generally includes:

• Assistant Lecturer
• Lecturer II
• Lecturer I
• Senior Lecturer
• Reader
• Professor

The rank an academic staff member holds determines the CONUASS grade attached to the position. Experience, promotion and movement through salary steps can also affect the amount earned.

It is important to understand that a CONUASS figure should not automatically be interpreted as the exact amount that every lecturer receives in their bank account. Salary structures contain basic or consolidated salary information, while actual take-home pay can be affected by allowances, deductions, taxes, pension contributions and other applicable payments.

CONUASS Salary Structure 2026

A current salary scale published by the University of Ibadan provides the following CONUASS figures for academic positions:

These figures are published on the University of Ibadan’s salary-scale pages and show the salary progression associated with the different academic ranks.

The figures should be treated as a salary-scale reference rather than a promise that every academic employee in every Nigerian university will receive exactly the same monthly amount. Individual institutions may have approved allowances, deductions, implementation arrangements and employment conditions that affect actual earnings.

CONUASS 2 Salary: Assistant Lecturer

CONUASS 2 is associated with the position of Assistant Lecturer.

The University of Ibadan’s published scale lists Assistant Lecturer at ₦794,260 to ₦957,402, with a step increment of ₦23,306.

Assistant Lecturer is generally one of the entry-level academic positions in the university system. Candidates appointed at this level may be expected to teach undergraduate students, participate in departmental activities and begin developing their research and academic portfolios.

The exact qualification requirements can differ by university and discipline. In many academic fields, postgraduate qualifications and evidence of research are important for progression.

CONUASS 3 Salary: Lecturer II

Lecturer II is placed on CONUASS 3 in the University of Ibadan salary scale.

The published range is ₦897,501 to ₦1,074,314, with a stated step increment of ₦25,259.

At this stage, an academic is normally expected to take on greater teaching, research and departmental responsibilities.

A Lecturer II may teach courses, supervise students where permitted, participate in academic committees and contribute to scholarly publications and conferences.

CONUASS 4 Salary: Lecturer I

Lecturer I falls under CONUASS 4.

The University of Ibadan lists the salary range as ₦1,122,751 to ₦1,444,535, with a step increment of ₦40,223.

Moving from Lecturer II to Lecturer I is part of normal academic career progression. Promotion is not based solely on years of service. Universities typically consider requirements such as teaching performance, research output, publications, qualifications, supervision and other institutional criteria.

For anyone considering an academic career, it is therefore useful to think of CONUASS as more than a salary table. It is connected to the broader promotion structure within the university system.

CONUASS 5 Salary: Senior Lecturer

The Senior Lecturer position is associated with CONUASS 5.

According to the University of Ibadan’s published salary scale, the range is ₦1,653,415 to ₦2,348,299, with a step increment of ₦57,907.

Senior Lecturers normally have more academic experience and greater responsibility than Lecturers I and II.

Their duties can include teaching, postgraduate supervision, research, publication, departmental administration, examination responsibilities and participation in academic committees.

Because academic promotions are institution-specific, prospective applicants should always check the recruitment notice and conditions of service issued by the university they are interested in.

CONUASS 6 Salary: Reader

Reader is placed on CONUASS 6.

The University of Ibadan lists the salary range as ₦2,053,124 to ₦2,684,096, with a step increment of ₦70,108.

The title “Reader” is an established academic rank in Nigeria and is broadly comparable to an associate-professor-level position in systems that use the title Associate Professor.

Readers are generally expected to demonstrate a substantial record of research, publications, teaching and academic leadership. However, the exact promotion criteria depend on the university’s regulations.

CONUASS 7 Salary: Professor

Professor is the highest academic rank listed in the CONUASS structure.

The University of Ibadan’s current published salary scale lists CONUASS 7 at ₦2,485,099 to ₦3,209,140, with a step increment of ₦80,449.

Professors may have extensive responsibilities beyond classroom teaching. These can include postgraduate supervision, research leadership, academic administration, external examining, mentoring junior academics and participation in university governance.

It is worth remembering that becoming a professor is normally based on an institution’s promotion requirements and academic achievements rather than simply completing a certain number of years in service.

What Does the 2026 CONUASS Review Mean?

One of the most important developments affecting university academic staff in 2026 is the new Federal Government–ASUU agreement.

Reports published in January 2026 stated that the agreement provided for a 40% review of academic remuneration, with the revised arrangement involving CONUASS and a new Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). The reported effective date was January 1, 2026.

CATA is significant because academic work involves expenses beyond normal salary. Academic staff may need to spend money on professional materials, research activities, internet access, journal publications, conferences, learned societies and books.

BusinessDay reported that the 2026 arrangement incorporated academic tools support into the remuneration framework and described it as part of the implementation of the new agreement.

However, this also explains why online searches can produce different “CONUASS 2026 salary” figures.

Some websites publish the existing CONUASS basic salary table, while others combine salary with allowances and describe the resulting amount as total monthly earnings.

These are not necessarily the same thing.

Is CONUASS Salary the Same as Take-Home Pay?

No.

This is one of the most important points to understand when researching the CONUASS salary structure 2026.

A salary-scale figure should not automatically be treated as the exact amount deposited into an employee’s bank account.

An academic employee’s final pay may be affected by:

• Pension contributions
• PAYE tax
• Approved allowances
• Academic or professional allowances
• Housing-related benefits
• Deductions
• Institution-specific payments
• Other statutory or approved deductions

For this reason, two people holding similar academic positions can sometimes report different amounts as their “salary.”

One person may be discussing basic or consolidated salary, while another is referring to gross earnings after allowances.

CONUASS Salary vs CATA

CONUASS and CATA should not be confused.

CONUASS refers to the university academic salary structure.

CATA, or Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, is connected to the additional academic-support component introduced under the 2026 remuneration arrangement.

Reports on the January 2026 agreement stated that the salary structure would comprise CONUASS and CATA, with the 40% review represented through the academic tools allowance.

This distinction is important when reading salary information online.

If an article gives one large monthly figure without explaining whether it includes allowances, readers should be cautious about treating that number as the official CONUASS salary.

Does Every University Pay Exactly the Same CONUASS Salary?

Not necessarily.

CONUASS provides a framework, but implementation can vary according to the institution, approved conditions of service, applicable government directives and other factors.

For example, the University of Ibadan publicly publishes its salary scale, which gives a useful reference for understanding the CONUASS grades.

However, anyone accepting a university appointment should check the specific employment offer and the university’s current conditions of service.

State universities and private universities also do not necessarily operate under the same arrangements as federal public universities.

Therefore, searching for “CONUASS salary 2026” is useful for understanding the general structure, but it should not replace checking the official salary information supplied by a prospective employer.

How Salary Steps Work Under CONUASS

The figures in a CONUASS salary table are commonly presented in a format such as:

₦794,260 × ₦23,306 – ₦957,402

This format can look confusing at first.

The first figure represents the salary at the starting point of the scale.

The second figure represents the increment associated with movement through the applicable salary steps.

The final figure represents the upper point shown on that scale.

In simple terms, an employee does not necessarily move directly from the first amount to the last amount. Salary progression can occur through approved steps, subject to the rules governing the employee’s appointment and institution.

This is why knowing only the CONUASS grade is not always enough to determine an individual’s exact earnings.

Factors That Can Affect a University Lecturer’s Salary

Apart from the CONUASS grade, several factors can affect what an academic employee receives.

1. Academic rank

A Professor is on a higher CONUASS level than an Assistant Lecturer, so the salary scale is different.

2. Salary step

Employees may move through steps within their grade according to applicable rules.

3. Allowances

Allowances can increase total earnings beyond the core salary figure.

4. Deductions

Tax, pension and other authorized deductions can reduce the amount ultimately received.

5. Institution

Federal, state and private universities can have different employment arrangements.

6. Promotion

Academic promotion can move an employee from one CONUASS grade to another, subject to the institution’s requirements.

Who Is Searching for CONUASS Salary Information?

The search intent behind “CONUASS Salary Structure 2026: University Academic Staff Salary” is primarily informational with a strong career and employment research purpose.

People using this search phrase are likely looking for:

• The latest CONUASS salary structure
• University lecturer salaries in Nigeria
• Assistant Lecturer salary
• Lecturer II salary
• Lecturer I salary
• Senior Lecturer salary
• Reader salary
• Professor salary
• CONUASS 2 to CONUASS 7 salary
• 2026 university lecturer salary
• Federal university academic staff salary
• How much Nigerian university lecturers earn
• The difference between CONUASS and CATA

The best content for this search intent should therefore provide a clear salary table first, followed by an explanation of grades, steps, allowances and the 2026 changes.

That approach helps readers find the answer quickly without requiring them to understand complicated public-sector salary terminology.

Frequently Asked Questions About CONUASS Salary 2026

What is the highest CONUASS level?

The highest level in the academic structure shown in the University of Ibadan salary scale is CONUASS 7, which is associated with the position of Professor.

How much does a Professor earn under CONUASS?

The University of Ibadan’s published scale lists Professor at CONUASS 7, with a salary range of ₦2,485,099 to ₦3,209,140.

How much does a Senior Lecturer earn?

The published University of Ibadan scale places Senior Lecturer on CONUASS 5, with a range of ₦1,653,415 to ₦2,348,299.

How much does a Lecturer II earn?

Lecturer II is listed under CONUASS 3, with a published range of ₦897,501 to ₦1,074,314 at the University of Ibadan.

Is the CONUASS salary monthly or annual?

The figures commonly presented in Nigerian university salary scales should be checked against the specific document and employment terms. Salary tables can use a structured scale rather than simply stating a monthly take-home amount. Always confirm the payment period and whether allowances are included before comparing figures.

Does CONUASS include allowances?

The 2026 academic remuneration arrangement includes CONUASS and CATA. CATA is associated with academic tools and professional expenses, meaning readers should distinguish the salary scale from additional remuneration components.