Registrars Call For Review Of University Wage Structures

Registrars of Nigerian universities have called for an urgent review of wage structures in the tertiary education system, warning that an inequitable and unsustainable reward framework continues to undermine professionalism, staff morale and institutional stability.

The call formed part of resolutions reached at the 20th Annual Retreat and 78th Business Meeting of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), held from Monday, 8 to Friday, 12 December 2025 in Abuja.

The retreat, themed “TERAS as an Innovative Pathway for Teaching, Research, and Documentation in Nigeria’s Tertiary Education,” brought together Vice-Chancellors, representatives of regulatory agencies, officials of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and senior university administrators.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, ARNU emphasised that a fair and sustainable reward system is indispensable to stabilising the academic environment and improving service delivery.

The communique was read by Dr. Mercy Lyons, Pioneer Registrar, Hillside university of science and Technology, Ekiti.

The registrars noted that persistent industrial tensions in the university system are closely linked to welfare concerns and weak funding structures, calling on government and stakeholders to take coordinated action.

According to the association, Nigerian universities must urgently embrace TERAS as a nationwide digital platform to drive transformation in teaching, research, administration and record management.

“The Federal Government and regulatory bodies should review and renegotiate wage structures, improve university funding through JAMB revenue allocation, strengthen TETFund’s digital infrastructure, especially for TERAS, and enforce governance standards that protect autonomy and promote accountability.”

The registrars stressed that digital governance, supported by robust ICT infrastructure, is no longer optional in a rapidly evolving global higher education landscape.

The communiqué also underscored the importance of strengthening university autonomy through responsible governance, transparent management and innovative financial strategies.

ARNU reaffirmed the central role of registrars as anchors of governance integrity, charged with ensuring due process, accurate records and the adoption of ICT-driven administrative reforms.

The association further resolved that universities should intensify automation across administrative processes, including digital record-keeping, virtual meetings and streamlined workflows, to enhance institutional efficiency, calling for stronger strategic partnerships among universities, industry, alumni and government to support research, infrastructure development and innovation.

The association further recommended that governance standards be strictly enforced to protect university autonomy while promoting accountability and transparence.

University governing councils and registrars were advised to adopt performance-based reward systems, deepen digital governance through automation and virtual processes, and maintain transparent financial management.

“University Governing Councils and Registrars should adopt performance-based reward systems, deepen digital governance through automation and virtual processes, and maintain transparent financial management while diversifying revenue sources.

“University management and staff unions should foster evidence-based, constructive labour relations, prioritise comprehensive staff welfare, and promote non-monetary incentives such as recognition and training opportunities,” the communique stated.