Kano State aligns university salaries with federal structure in N4.7bn overhaul

The Kano State Government has approved a new salary structure for academic and non-academic staff at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and Northwest University, Kano. The review will cost the state about N4.7 billion annually.

​Based on the remuneration package recently implemented in federal universities, the salary adjustment takes effect from January 2026, with actual payments scheduled to begin in September 2026. Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesman to the Kano State governor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

​The approval follows recommendations from a committee constituted by the State Executive Council to review requests from both institutions. The two universities require a combined N391.85 million monthly to implement the revised remuneration package, which translates to N4.70 billion annually. Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, accounts for the larger share with a monthly financial requirement of N228.20 million, comprising N141.08 million for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement and N87.11 million for non-academic staff under the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities. At Northwest University, the monthly requirement stands at N163.65 million, including N112.24 million for academic staff and N51.41 million for non-academic staff.

​The state government has approved the inclusion of N1.57 billion in the 2026 supplementary budget to finance the salary adjustments between September and December. Outstanding payments covering January to August 2026, estimated at N3.13 billion, will be provided for in the 2027 budget.

​This move addresses ongoing pressures faced by state-owned universities to align remuneration systems with federal institutions amid concerns over staff retention, industrial disputes, and teaching and research quality. Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf also approved the consideration of visitation panels for the two universities and other tertiary institutions to examine administration and management in line with relevant laws, supporting stronger accountability, institutional governance, and broader human capital development.