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Ikiodiete George
- 2 Min Read
Lecturer Salary & Grade Levels + Allowance Structure In Nigeria (2025): Official Figures
Are you considering a career in academia or currently working as a lecturer in Nigeria? Whether you’re just starting as a graduate assistant or aspiring to become a full professor, understanding the salary structure and allowances attached to each academic rank is essential. Nigerian university lecturers are paid according to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), which determines their basic salary and associated benefits.
In this 2025 guide, you’ll find the official figures for lecturers' salaries, grade levels, and monthly allowances across Nigerian federal, state, and private universities. This comprehensive breakdown will help you estimate your potential income and understand how career progression affects your earnings.
Lecturer Salary Structure in Nigeria (2025)
Academic lecturers in Nigerian universities are paid based on the CONUASS scale, which applies to both teaching staff and research fellows. This is complemented by allowances such as housing, transportation, and research grants.
CONUASS Salary Grades (Annual Basic Salary)
| Rank / Grade | Basic Salary Range (₦) |
|---|---|
| Assistant Lecturer (CONUASS 2) | ₦794,260 – ₦957,402 |
| Lecturer II / Research Fellow II (CONUASS 3) | ₦897,501 – ₦1,074,314 |
| Lecturer I / Research Fellow I (CONUASS 4) | ₦1,122,751 – ₦1,444,535 |
| Senior Lecturer (CONUASS 5) | ₦1,653,415 – ₦2,348,299 |
| Reader (CONUASS 6) | ₦2,053,124 – ₦2,684,096 |
| Professor (CONUASS 7) | ₦2,485,099 – ₦3,209,140 |
Monthly Earnings by Academic Rank
Here’s an approximate monthly breakdown of salaries for university lecturers in Nigeria, including federal and state universities:
| Rank | Basic Pay (₦) | Estimated Allowances | Total Monthly Income (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistant | ₦120k – ₦150k | ₦50k–₦70k (housing/transport) | ₦170k – ₦220k |
| Lecturer II | ₦150k – ₦200k | ₦60k + ₦40k + ₦20k (teaching) | ₦250k – ₦300k |
| Lecturer I | ₦200k – ₦250k | ₦70k + ₦50k + ₦30k (research) | ₦350k – ₦400k |
| Senior Lecturer | ₦300k – ₦350k | ₦100k + ₦70k + ₦50k | ₦520k – ₦570k |
| Professor | ₦500k – ₦600k | ₦150k + ₦100k + ₦100k | ₦850k – ₦950k (can exceed ₦1M) |
Allowance Breakdown by Grade
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Housing Allowance: ₦50k (entry-level) → ₦150k (professor)
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Transport Allowance: ₦40k → ₦100k
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Research/Academic Grants: ₦20k–₦100k depending on rank
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Extras: Teaching stipends, consultancy, overtime, seminars, and publications may add ₦30k–₦100k+ monthly
Regional Averages (e.g., Engineering Lecturer)
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Annual Average: ₦5.8 million (≈₦480,000/month)
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Median: ₦5.57 million
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Salary Range: ₦3.0M – ₦8.8M annually
(Engineering lecturers at federal universities typically fall into the Lecturer I to Professor pay bands.)
Factors Affecting Pay
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Institution Type: Federal universities often pay more than state or private ones.
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Rank & Experience: Your academic rank significantly determines base pay.
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Allowances & Extras: Grants, stipends, and consultancies can boost income substantially.
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Geographic Location: Cost of living and local policies impact allowances.
Final Takeaways
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Salaries follow CONUASS grades 2 to 7, with annual basic pay from ₦794k to ₦3.2M.
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Monthly totals range from ₦170k (entry-level) to over ₦950k, and ₦1M+ for senior professors.
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Engineering lecturers typically earn ₦480k/month (₦5.8M/year) on average.
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Allowances (housing, transport, research) and extra stipends are vital parts of the total earnings package.
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Income varies by rank, institution, and region, with federal universities often offering the best pay.
Conclusion
Lecturing in Nigerian universities offers a structured salary progression:
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₦170k/month for entry-level roles
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₦350k–₦400k for mid-level ranks
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₦850k+ for top professors
To maximize income, it's important to rise through ranks, secure research grants, and tap into consultancy opportunities.
