CONUASS Salary Scale Nigeria 2026 — Full Grade Table
Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure
Covers: Lecturers and academic staff at Nigerian federal universities. Salaries range from ₦125,000/month to ₦710,174/month.
What is the CONUASS Salary Scale?
CONUASS was introduced following the 2009 NEEDS Assessment Report and sustained agitation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which had gone on multiple strikes over poor academic staff remuneration. It creates a distinct salary structure for university academics separate from the general civil service CONPSS, recognising that lecturers require specialist compensation to remain competitive with the private sector. ASUU continues to campaign for higher CONUASS rates and the full implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) payment system.
Who Qualifies for CONUASS?
CONUASS applies to all academic staff at Nigerian federal universities — from Graduate Assistants to Professors. State university staff may be on CONUASS-equivalent scales depending on individual state implementation. Entry is at the Graduate Assistant or Assistant Lecturer level with a minimum of a Masters degree; a PhD is required for the Lecturer I and above levels at most federal universities.
CONUASS Full Grade Table 2026 — All 14 Grades
| Grade | Role / Title | Entry Qualification | Step 1 Annual | Step 1 Monthly | Step 3 Annual | Step 6 Annual | Step 9 (max) | Take-home est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONUASS 1 Entry | Graduate Assistant Entry for fresh BSc holders | BSc / BA (Masters in progress) | ₦1,500,000 | ₦125,000 /mo | ₦1,650,000 | ₦1,900,000 | ₦2,100,000 | ₦278,750–₦366,250 |
| CONUASS 1 | Graduate Assistant Entry for fresh BSc holders | BSc / BA (Masters in progress) | ₦1,500,000 | ₦125,000 /mo | ₦1,650,000 | ₦1,900,000 | ₦2,100,000 | ₦278,750–₦366,250 |
| CONUASS 2 | Assistant Lecturer Standard MSc entry | MSc / PhD in progress | ₦2,327,557 | ₦193,963 /mo | ₦2,550,000 | ₦2,900,000 | ₦3,200,000 | ₦399,435–₦526,666 |
| CONUASS 2 | Assistant Lecturer Standard MSc entry | MSc / PhD in progress | ₦2,327,557 | ₦193,963 /mo | ₦2,550,000 | ₦2,900,000 | ₦3,200,000 | ₦399,435–₦526,666 |
| CONUASS 3 | Lecturer II Entry with PhD | PhD (newly awarded) | ₦3,000,000 | ₦250,000 /mo | ₦3,300,000 | ₦3,750,000 | ₦4,100,000 | ₦497,500–₦657,916 |
| CONUASS 3 | Lecturer II Entry with PhD | PhD (newly awarded) | ₦3,000,000 | ₦250,000 /mo | ₦3,300,000 | ₦3,750,000 | ₦4,100,000 | ₦497,500–₦657,916 |
| CONUASS 4 | Lecturer I | PhD + 3yrs experience | ₦3,750,000 | ₦312,500 /mo | ₦4,100,000 | ₦4,700,000 | ₦5,200,000 | ₦606,875–₦818,333 |
| CONUASS 4 | Lecturer I | PhD + 3yrs experience | ₦3,750,000 | ₦312,500 /mo | ₦4,100,000 | ₦4,700,000 | ₦5,200,000 | ₦606,875–₦818,333 |
| CONUASS 5 | Senior Lecturer | PhD + 6yrs + publications | ₦4,700,000 | ₦391,666 /mo | ₦5,200,000 | ₦6,000,000 | ₦6,600,000 | ₦745,415–₦1,022,500 |
| CONUASS 5 | Senior Lecturer | PhD + 6yrs + publications | ₦4,700,000 | ₦391,666 /mo | ₦5,200,000 | ₦6,000,000 | ₦6,600,000 | ₦745,415–₦1,022,500 |
| CONUASS 6 | Reader / Associate Professor | PhD + 9yrs + strong publications | ₦6,000,000 | ₦500,000 /mo | ₦6,600,000 | ₦7,600,000 | ₦8,300,000 | ₦935,000–₦1,270,416 |
| CONUASS 6 | Reader / Associate Professor | PhD + 9yrs + strong publications | ₦6,000,000 | ₦500,000 /mo | ₦6,600,000 | ₦7,600,000 | ₦8,300,000 | ₦935,000–₦1,270,416 |
| CONUASS 7 | Professor Full professorship — highest CONUASS grade | PhD + 12yrs + distinguished publications | ₦7,300,000 | ₦608,333 /mo | ₦8,000,000 | ₦8,522,091 | ₦8,522,091 | ₦1,124,582–₦1,302,804 |
| CONUASS 7 Top | Professor Full professorship — highest CONUASS grade | PhD + 12yrs + distinguished publications | ₦7,300,000 | ₦608,333 /mo | ₦8,000,000 | ₦8,522,091 | ₦8,522,091 | ₦1,124,582–₦1,302,804 |
Take-home estimate adds 75% allowances to monthly basic + ₦60,000 fixed. Steps 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 are intermediate — add proportionally. Figures are basic salary only. Updated: September 4, 2026.
💡 CONUASS Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026
Select your grade and step to estimate monthly take-home pay including all 5 CONUASS allowances.
⚠️ Estimates only. Actual pay depends on your posting, step, and current NSIWC circulars. Verify with your payroll office.
CONUASS Allowances 2026
In addition to basic salary, CONUASS workers receive the following allowances. These significantly increase total take-home pay above the basic salary figures in the grade table.
| Allowance | Type | Rate | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Allowance | Percent | 30% | of annual basic salary | Higher than CONPSS reflecting academic market |
| Transport Allowance | Percent | 15% | of annual basic salary | Standard for all CONUASS grades |
| Leave Allowance | Percent | 10% | of annual basic salary | Annual leave allowance |
| Research Allowance | Percent | 20% | of annual basic salary | For active research output; varies by institution |
| Book Allowance | Fixed | ₦60,000/mo | per year | Annual academic book/journal subscription allowance |
CONUASS in Context — 2026
CONUASS has been at the centre of Nigeria's recurring ASUU strikes. The union has argued that CONUASS rates — while significantly higher than CONPSS — have been eroded by inflation and fail to attract the calibre of academics needed to raise Nigeria's university rankings. The dispute over IPPIS vs UTAS payment systems has overlapped with CONUASS implementation battles throughout the 2020s.
FAQs — CONUASS Salary Scale Nigeria
What is the CONUASS salary scale in Nigeria?
CONUASS (Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure) is the salary structure for lecturers and academic staff at nigerian federal universities in Nigeria. The entry-level grade earns approximately ₦125,000/month basic at Step 1. The highest grade reaches approximately ₦710,174/month. The scale has 14 grade levels and 5 allowance categories. It is administered by the NEEDS Council / NUC. Last updated: September 2026.
How much does a CONUASS worker earn per month in Nigeria?
Monthly salaries under CONUASS range from approximately ₦125,000 at entry level to ₦710,174 at the top grade. These are basic salary figures — total take-home is higher when housing, transport, and other allowances are added. Standard allowances total approximately 75% of annual basic salary per year. Fixed allowances add approximately ₦60,000/month on top.
How does CONUASS compare to the minimum wage?
Nigeria's minimum wage is ₦70,000/month (₦840,000/year) as of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. The CONUASS entry grade earns approximately ₦125,000/month basic — ₦55,000/month above the minimum wage.
What allowances do CONUASS workers receive?
CONUASS workers receive the following allowances: Housing Allowance: 30% of of annual basic salary (Higher than CONPSS reflecting academic market); Transport Allowance: 15% of of annual basic salary (Standard for all CONUASS grades); Leave Allowance: 10% of of annual basic salary (Annual leave allowance); Research Allowance: 20% of of annual basic salary (For active research output; varies by institution); Book Allowance: ₦60,000 fixed (Annual academic book/journal subscription allowance). These allowances are added to basic salary to determine total take-home pay.
Who qualifies for CONUASS in Nigeria?
CONUASS applies to all academic staff at Nigerian federal universities — from Graduate Assistants to Professors. State university staff may be on CONUASS-equivalent scales depending on individual state implementation. Entry is at the Graduate Assistant or Assistant Lecturer level with a minimum of a Masters degree; a PhD is required for the Lecturer I and above levels at most federal universities.