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Ikiodiete George
- 2 Min Read
Conuass Salary Scale In Nigeria (2025): Academic Staff Monthly Pay Structure
The Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) is the standard pay framework for lecturers and professors in public universities across Nigeria. Updated in 2024–2025, this structure reflects current wage policies, improved living cost adjustments, and performance incentives.
Updated CONUASS Monthly Salary Ranges (2025)
| Rank (CONUASS) | Monthly Basic Salary (₦) |
| Graduate Assistant (01) | 250,000 – 300,000 |
| Assistant Lecturer (02) | 300,000 – 350,000 |
| Lecturer II (CONUASS 3) | 350,000 – 420,000 |
| Lecturer I (CONUASS 4) | 430,000 – 520,000 |
| Senior Lecturer (CONUASS 5) | 550,000 – 680,000 |
| Associate Professor / Reader (06) | 700,000 – 850,000 |
| Professor (07) | 900,000 – 1,300,000 |
These figures reflect the updated structure with the new wage benchmarks embedded into the system
Career Path & Qualifications
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Graduate Assistant: Entry-level (First Class / 2:1); supports teaching and research
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Assistant Lecturer: Requires Master’s degree; leading tutorials and initial research
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Lecturer II: Usually PhD in progress or completed; teaching and supervising undergraduates
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Lecturer I: PhD plus ~3 years teaching experience; supervises graduate students
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Senior Lecturer: PhD + strong publication record (6+ years)
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Associate Professor: Established researcher with leadership roles
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Professor: Top-tier academic with significant research and leadership portfolio
Each promotion incurs a higher salary band and increased responsibilities.
Allowances & Benefits
Academics receive supplemental allowances, which vary slightly by institution:
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Responsibility Allowance (for HODs, Deans)
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Research Grants & Publication Incentives
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Hazard, Supervision & Invigilation Bonuses
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Field-Trip and Teaching Practice Allowance
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Housing and Transportation Allowances
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Leave Bonuses & Sabbatical Support
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NHIS Healthcare and Pension Contributions
These perks can add an extra ₦50,000 – ₦300,000 monthly to the base pay.
Salary Growth & Progression
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Annual step increments within each rank
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Promotions typically every 3–5 years based on research outputs and tenure
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Over a full career, one can move from Graduate Assistant (₦250k/month) to seasoned Professor (₦1.3M/month) plus allowances
Sample Institutions (NUC Staff Context)
Academic support roles under CONUASS at agencies like the NUC include:
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Graduate Assistant: ~₦100,000/month
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Assistant Lecturer: ~₦150,000/month
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Lecturer: ~₦210,000/month
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Senior Lecturer: ~₦280,000/month
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Reader (Associate Professor): ~₦390,000/month
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Professor: ~₦700,000/month
(Note: These figures may reflect adjusted allowances or agency-specific pay and differ from on-campus pay.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the entry-level pay for university lecturers?
Graduate Assistants begin at around ₦250,000 monthly in 2025.
Q2: How quickly can a Lecturer II advance?
Typically within 3–5 years, with research productivity accelerating promotion.
Q3: Do professors really earn over ₦1 million monthly?
Yes. Senior professors can earn between ₦900,000 and ₦1.3 million in basic salary.
Q4: Are there additional incentives?
Absolutely—research, publication, and role-related allowances often add ₦50k–₦300k monthly.
Q5: Does pay vary between universities?
Yes—some institutions offer more generous allowances, but basic pay bands remain standard via CONUASS.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 CONUASS salary scale offers a transparent, progressive, and rewarding structure for academic staff in Nigerian universities. With clear pay bands from Graduate Assistant to Professor and robust allowances, the system supports both career development and academic excellence.
