Kano State Government in Northwest Nigeria has approved the implementation of the Federal Government’s new university salary structure for academic and non-academic staff of two state-owned universities, in a move aimed at strengthening industrial harmony and improving workers’ welfare in the higher education sector.
The institutions are Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and Northwest University, Kano.
The approval, granted by Governor Abba Yusuf, will see the new remuneration package take effect retrospectively from January 2026, with payment scheduled to begin in September.
The Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature said this in a statement and made available to newsmen in Kano.
The decision followed the recommendations of a committee set up by the Kano State Executive Council to examine requests from the two universities for the adoption of the new remuneration package already implemented in federal universities across the country.
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The salary review will cost the state government ₦391.85 million monthly, translating to approximately ₦4.70 billion annually for the two institutions.
At Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, the new package will require ₦228.20 million monthly, including ₦141.08 million for academic staff covered by the ASUU agreement and ₦87.11 million for non-academic staff under SSANU.
Northwest University, Kano, will require ₦163.65 million monthly, comprising ₦112.24 million for academic staff and ₦51.41 million for non-academic staff.
To facilitate implementation, the state government has approved ₦1.57 billion in its 2026 Supplementary Budget to cover payments from September to December.
It will also provide ₦3.13 billion in the 2027 Budget to settle arrears accumulated between January and August 2026.
Industrial Harmony
The government said the measure was designed to promote industrial harmony, reduce disparities in remuneration between federal and state-owned universities and improve the welfare of university workers.
The development comes amid continuing efforts by governments and education stakeholders across Nigeria to address issues of staff welfare, remuneration and conditions of service in the university system.
In a related measure, Governor Yusuf approved plans to constitute Visitation Panels for the two universities and other tertiary institutions in Kano State in accordance with existing laws.
The panels are expected to assess the administration, governance and management of the institutions while strengthening accountability and institutional efficiency.
The Kano State Government said the measures reaffirm its commitment to human capital development, quality higher education and improved working conditions for employees in the state’s tertiary institutions.
