Everything You Need to Know About Polytechnic Lecturers Salary Scale in Nigeria (Updated Year 2026)

In Nigeria, the salary scale for polytechnic lecturers is governed by the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS). As of 2026, these figures have been significantly revised upward following the federal government’s 2024/2025 implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act and the 25%–35% consequential salary adjustments for tertiary institution staff.

Below is the updated guide for the 2026 salary scale for polytechnic lecturers in Nigeria.

2026 Salary Scale by Lecturer Grade

The total emoluments listed below are gross annual salaries (before statutory deductions like PAYE tax, pension, and NHIS). These figures now include the 2024/2025 consolidated increments approved by the Federal Government.

Chief Lecturer (Highest Grade)

In the polytechnic system, the Chief Lecturer is the equivalent of a University Professor. This is the peak of the academic career in a polytechnic.

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦7,320,000 per annum (~₦610,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary (Step 10+): Can reach up to ₦9,476,000 per annum (~₦789,000 per month).

Principal Lecturer / Reader

Equivalent to an Associate Professor, these are high-level academic leaders.

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦5,700,000 per annum (~₦475,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦7,410,000 per annum (~₦617,000 per month).

Senior Lecturer

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦3,510,000 per annum (~₦292,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦4,270,000 per annum (~₦356,000 per month).

Lecturer I

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦2,880,000 per annum (~₦240,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦3,360,000 per annum (~₦280,000 per month).

Lecturer II

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦2,590,000 per annum (~₦216,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦2,910,000 per annum (~₦242,000 per month).

Assistant Lecturer / Lecturer III

The entry-level position for Master’s degree holders.

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦2,320,000 per annum (~₦193,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦2,590,000 per annum (~₦216,000 per month).

Graduate Assistant

Entry-level position for Bachelor’s degree holders (First Class or 2:1).

• Minimum Salary: Approximately ₦1,850,000 per annum (~₦154,000 per month).

• Maximum Salary: Approximately ₦2,100,000 per annum (~₦175,000 per month).

Detailed CONPCASS Salary Table (Consolidated 2026)

The table below illustrates the CONPCASS per annum across various levels. This structure integrates basic salary with consolidated allowances (rent, journal, research, and field trip allowances).

Factors Influencing Salary and Promotions

1. Academic Publications: Promotions (and thus salary jumps) depend heavily on the number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

2. Years of Service: Each grade has “Steps.” Annual increments occur within a grade until you move to the next rank.

3. Type of Institution: While Federal Polytechnics follow the IPPIS/CONPCASS strictly, State Polytechnics may vary slightly depending on the state’s financial capacity. Private polytechnics set their own competitive rates.

4. Administrative Roles: Holding positions like Head of Department (HOD), Dean, or Rector comes with additional responsibility allowances

Important Links & Resources

• National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC): The official body for all government salary circulars in Nigeria.

• National Board for Technical Education (NBTE): For information on polytechnic accreditation and staff standards.

• Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP): For updates on industrial negotiations and welfare.

Old Grades of Lecturers and their Salary Scale (For Previous Years)

Below are lecturer grades in Nigerian institutions and their salary scale.

The total emoluments are calculated before pension contribution and tax deductions. It also includes rent and academic allowances.

Professor

Professor, popularly called Prof, is the highest academic in Nigerian institutions.

Professors are typically experts in their fields and top-tier lecturers.

A professor earns a minimum salary of 381,695 Naira per month and 4,580,349 Naira annually.

The minimum salary after ten years is 501,680 Naira per month and 6,020,163 Naira annually.

Senior Lecturer

A senior lecturer is a member of the faculty in a university or other similar higher institution.

A senior lecturer’s minimum salary is 257,625 Naira per month and 3,091,505 Naira annually.

The maximum salary after thirteen (13) years is 371,292 Naira per month and 4,455,506 Naira annually.

Lecturer I

Lecturer I earns a minimum monthly salary of 173,332 Naira per month and 2,079,995 Naira on an annual basis.

The maximum salary after nine (9) years is 223,667 Naira per month and 2,684,010 Naira annually.

Lecturer II

Lecturer II earns 137,459 Naira per month and 1,649,509 Naira per year.

After eight (8) years, the maximum salary will be 164,970 Naira monthly and 1,979,640 Naira annually.

Assistant Lecturer

The Assistant lecturer is a position Master’s degree holders assume at entry level.

The minimum salary of Lecturer III is 120,922 Naira per month and 1,451,071 Naira per year.

After eight (8) years, the maximum salary is 146,241 Naira per month and 1,754,902 Naira per year. 

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant is the entry-level position for a Bachelor’s degree holder.

The minimum salary of a Graduate Assistant is 105,281 Naira per month and 1,263,377 Naira per year.

After six (6) years, the maximum salary is 120,647 Naira on a monthly basis and 1,447,767 Naira on an annual basis. 

Reader

A Reader’s minimum salary on a monthly basis is 314,018 Naira. A Reader earns 3,768,221 Naira annually.

After ten (10) years, the maximum salary is 417,062 Naira per month and 5,004,750 Naira per annum.

This list of salaries applies to lecturers in federal and state universities.

The salaries of lecturers in private universities might be completely different.

The following factors can affect the amount of salary a lecturer earns:

• Numbers of publication.
• The role’s responsibilities.
• The university someone lectures.
• The faculty.

Old Consolidated Polytechnic Salary Structure (For Previous Years)

The table below shows the Consolidated Polytechnic & Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPASS) per annum.

(Level 1-6)

 (Level 7-11)

 (Level 12-15)