Professor Salary in Nigeria Universities: Full Details

Professor Salary in Nigeria Universities: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

Note: This article compiles data from sources like the University of Ibadan, Nigerian Informer, learnskills.ng, InquireSalary, geniusbrain.ng, and fact-checking reports, supplemented by industry trends and posts on X, to provide a comprehensive overview of professor salaries in Nigerian universities as of June 2025. All monetary figures are in Nigerian Naira (NGN), unless stated otherwise, and account for inflation (30–35% annually) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD). Estimates are based on the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II), adjusted for 2025 economic conditions. Salaries for private universities vary and are not fully covered here due to limited data.

Introduction

Professors in Nigerian universities are the pinnacle of academic achievement, requiring over 15 years of teaching, research, and administrative experience. They play a critical role in education, mentoring students, conducting research, and shaping academic policy. However, their salaries have been a subject of debate, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) highlighting low pay compared to global standards, contributing to brain drain and frequent strikes. Salaries are governed by the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II), integrated into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) since 2019.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of professor salaries in Nigerian public universities, covering base pay, allowances, deductions, influencing factors, and comparisons with other roles. It includes sample calculations and addresses challenges like inflation and IPPIS deductions, reflecting 2025 conditions.

Professor Role: Overview

Professors in Nigerian universities hold the highest academic rank (CONUASS 7), with responsibilities including:

  • Teaching: Delivering lectures, developing curricula, and supervising student theses.
  • Research: Conducting and publishing research in high-impact journals to advance knowledge.
  • Mentorship: Guiding students and junior lecturers in academic and career development.
  • Administrative Duties: Serving as department heads, deans, or vice-chancellors, and contributing to university governance.
  • Community Service: Engaging in public, professional, or university outreach.

Qualifications typically include a PhD, extensive publications, and a distinguished record of academic achievement. Professors are appointed based on national or international recognition in their field.

Salary Context in Nigeria’s University System

Professor salaries are determined by CONUASS II, which outlines pay scales for academic ranks from Graduate Assistant (CONUASS 2) to Professor (CONUASS 7). Key factors influencing salaries include:

  • Academic Rank and Step: Professors range from entry-level (Step 1) to senior (Step 10, “Professor at the bar”).
  • Experience: Salaries increase with years of service and academic achievements.
  • Institution Type: Federal universities pay higher than state universities; private universities vary based on funding and contracts.
  • Location: Universities in urban centers (e.g., Lagos, Abuja) offer higher allowances.
  • Economic Conditions: Inflation (30–35%) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD) erode real income.
  • Allowances: Housing, research, and performance bonuses enhance total compensation.
  • IPPIS Deductions: Statutory deductions (e.g., PAYE, pension) reduce take-home pay.

Professor Salary Breakdown

Based on sources like geniusbrain.ng, InquireSalary, and fact-checking reports, the following salary estimates reflect 2025 conditions for professors in Nigerian public universities. Figures are monthly, unless stated otherwise, and based on CONUASS II.

1. Full Professor (CONUASS 7, Step 1–10)

  • Salary Range: ₦500,000–₦1,500,000 (Gross: ₦422,768–₦555,351; Net: ₦342,442–₦1,200,000 after deductions)
  • Responsibilities: Leading research, teaching advanced courses, and holding senior administrative roles.
  • Rationale:
    • University of Ibadan reports CONUASS 4 at ₦1,122,751–₦1,444,535 annually, suggesting CONUASS 7 (Professor) is higher.
    • geniusbrain.ng estimates ₦1,000,000–₦1,500,000 monthly for Full Professors in 2025, including allowances.
    • InquireSalary cites ₦381,695–₦501,680 monthly, with net pay of ₦342,442 after 5–19% deductions.
    • Fact-checking reports (2021–2023) note gross salaries of ₦422,768–₦555,351, with net pay of ₦342,442–₦416,743 due to IPPIS deductions.
    • Adjusted for 2025 inflation, ₦500,000–₦1,500,000 accounts for allowances and urban premiums.
  • Example Institutions: University of Ibadan, UNILAG, ABU Zaria.

2. Emeritus Professor

  • Salary Range: ₦800,000–₦1,200,000 (contract basis)
  • Responsibilities: Consulting, research, and advisory roles post-retirement.
  • Rationale: geniusbrain.ng notes Emeritus Professors earn ₦800,000–₦1,200,000 monthly on contract, reflecting their continued contributions.

Allowances and Benefits

Professors receive additional compensation, varying by institution:

  • Housing Allowance: ₦500,000–₦2,000,000 annually (₦41,667–₦166,667 monthly), higher in urban centers.
  • Research Allowance: ₦100,000–₦500,000 annually (₦8,333–₦41,667 monthly) for scholarly activities.
  • Performance Bonuses: 10–20% of base salary (₦50,000–₦300,000 monthly), based on research output or teaching quality.
  • Transport Allowance: ₦50,000–₦150,000 monthly, per industry trends.
  • Health Insurance: Covers medical costs for professors and families, offered by most federal universities.
  • Sabbatical Earnings: Additional income from contract work at other universities during sabbaticals.
  • Earned Academic Allowances: Paid for excess teaching or administrative duties, per 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement (₦50,000–₦200,000 annually).

Statutory Deductions

  • PAYE Tax: 7–24% of taxable income, based on progressive bands (e.g., ₦300,000 at 7%, above ₦3,200,000 at 24%). After Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA: ₦200,000 + 20% of gross income), deductions range from 5–19%.
  • Pension: 8% employee + 10% employer (or 20% employer-only) of basic salary, housing, and transport allowances.
  • National Housing Fund (NHF): 2.5% of basic salary (voluntary for private sector).
  • National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): ~5% of basic salary (employee contribution).
  • Total Deductions: 10–25% of gross salary, reducing net pay significantly.

Total Monthly Compensation (Sample Scenarios)

  • Entry-Level Professor (CONUASS 7, Step 1):
    • Gross: ₦500,000 (base ₦422,768 + allowances ₦77,232)
    • Deductions: ₦80,326 (19% PAYE, pension, NHF)
    • Net: ₦419,674
  • Senior Professor (CONUASS 7, Step 10, “at the bar”):
    • Gross: ₦1,500,000 (base ₦555,351 + allowances ₦944,649)
    • Deductions: ₦300,000 (20% PAYE, pension, NHIS)
    • Net: ₦1,200,000
  • Emeritus Professor:
    • Gross: ₦1,000,000 (contract-based)
    • Deductions: ₦150,000 (15% PAYE, pension)
    • Net: ₦850,000

Sample PAYE Calculation for a Professor

Scenario: Professor with ₦1,000,000 Monthly Gross Salary

  • Annual Gross Income: ₦1,000,000 × 12 = ₦12,000,000
  • Deductions:
    • Pension (8% of basic, assume ₦500,000): ₦500,000 × 8% × 12 = ₦480,000
    • NHF (2.5% of basic, assume ₦300,000): ₦300,000 × 2.5% × 12 = ₦90,000
    • Total: ₦480,000 + ₦90,000 = ₦570,000
  • Income After Deductions: ₦12,000,000 − ₦570,000 = ₦11,430,000
  • CRA: ₦200,000 + (20% × ₦12,000,000) = ₦2,600,000
  • Taxable Income: ₦11,430,000 − ₦2,600,000 = ₦8,830,000
  • Tax Calculation:
    • First ₦300,000 at 7% = ₦21,000
    • Next ₦300,000 at 11% = ₦33,000
    • Next ₦500,000 at 15% = ₦75,000
    • Next ₦500,000 at 19% = ₦95,000
    • Next ₦1,600,000 at 21% = ₦336,000
    • Remaining ₦5,630,000 at 24% = ₦1,351,200
  • Total Annual Tax: ₦1,911,200
  • Monthly PAYE: ₦1,911,200 ÷ 12 = ₦159,266.67
  • Net Monthly Salary: ₦1,000,000 − ₦159,266.67 − ₦40,000 (pension) − ₦7,500 (NHF) = ₦793,233.33

Source: Tax calculation based on PITA 2011 and Finance Act 2020.web:tax_article

Factors Influencing Professor Salaries

  1. Academic Rank and Step: Entry-level professors (Step 1) earn less than those “at the bar” (Step 10).
  2. Qualifications: PhD holders earn more; additional certifications or publications boost increments.
  3. Institution Type: Federal universities pay more than state universities; private universities vary.
  4. Location: Urban universities (e.g., Lagos, Abuja) offer higher allowances.
  5. Economic Conditions: Inflation (30–35%) and naira depreciation reduce real income.
  6. ASUU Agreements: The 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement governs allowances, but implementation issues persist.
  7. IPPIS Deductions: Arbitrary deductions reduce net pay, per ASUU claims.

Comparison With Other Roles

  • Senior Lecturer: ₦257,625–₦371,292 monthly (CONUASS 5).
  • Associate Professor: ₦278,000–₦300,000 monthly.
  • Truck Driver: ₦60,000–₦1,000,000 monthly, less stable but variable.web:truck_driver_article
  • Thrive Agric Field Officer: ₦80,000–₦150,000 monthly, lower due to less qualification.web:thrive_agric_article
  • WhatsApp Group Admin: ₦50,000–₦200,000 monthly, informal and variable.web:whatsapp_group_article

Professors earn more than most academic and transport roles but less than private-sector professionals (e.g., oil and gas engineers: ₦600,000–₦3,000,000).

Challenges and Considerations

  1. Low Pay vs. Global Standards: ASUU claims Nigerian professors earn $300 (₦495,000) monthly, compared to $2,000–$10,000 in other African countries.
  2. Inflation: 30–35% annual inflation erodes real income, making salaries less competitive.
  3. IPPIS Issues: Arbitrary deductions reduce net pay, per ASUU and fact-checking reports.
  4. Strikes and Delays: ASUU strikes (e.g., 2022) highlight unpaid salaries and allowances.
  5. Brain Drain: Low pay drives professors abroad, where salaries are 10–20 times higher.
  6. Funding: Nigeria’s education budget (8.8% in 2023) falls below UNESCO’s 26% recommendation, limiting salary increases.

Proposed Reforms

  • ASUU Proposals (2025): ASUU seeks a revised salary structure, potentially increasing professor salaries to ₦1,000,000–₦2,000,000 monthly if approved.
  • Legislative Suggestions: Rep. Abubakar Fulata proposed ₦1,000,000 minimum for university teachers, pending implementation.
  • X Sentiment: Posts on X highlight professor salaries at $210–$300 monthly, fueling calls for reform.

Conclusion

Professor salaries in Nigerian public universities range from ₦500,000–₦1,500,000 monthly (net: ₦342,442–₦1,200,000 after deductions), with allowances like housing (₦41,667–₦166,667) and research (₦8,333–₦41,667) boosting compensation. Despite their critical role, salaries remain low compared to global standards, exacerbated by inflation, IPPIS deductions, and underfunding. Federal universities pay more than state ones, while private universities vary. To improve earnings, professors can pursue sabbaticals, research grants, or private-sector roles. For accurate salary details, consult university HR or ASUU. As Nigeria’s education sector evolves, addressing professor remuneration is key to retaining talent and enhancing academic quality.

Sources

  • University of Ibadan: Salary Scale, CONUASS.
  • Nigerian Informer: Salary of Professors in Nigeria Universities, 2025.
  • learnskills.ng: Professor Salary in Nigeria, 2025.
  • InquireSalary: ASUU Salary Structure, 2025.
  • Nigerian Finder: Nigerian Professors’ Salary, 2019.
  • geniusbrain.ng: Professor Official Salary & Levels, 2025.
  • FactCheckHub: Peter Obi’s Claim on Professor Salary, 2023.
  • edutorial.ng: No Professor Earns Above ₦416,000, 2021.
  • Daily Trust: ASUU Claim on Professor Salary, 2021.
  • professions.ng: Salary Scale for Professors, 2023.
  • worldsalaries.com: University Teacher Salary in Nigeria, 2025.
  • X Posts: Professor salary discussions, 2023–2025.

Disclaimer: Salary estimates are based on available data and trends. Actual salaries vary by institution, rank, and deductions. Consult university HR or ASUU for precise figures.

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