Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has revealed the salary structure for its academic and non-academic staff, offering insight into how much lecturers, professors and graduate assistants earn at the institution.

The details were contained in a recruitment publication released by the university for the 2025 academic cycle. The document outlined the expected salary range for applicants interested in teaching and non-teaching roles at the prestigious university.

The report also highlights the pay scale for various academic ranks, including professor, reader, senior lecturer and graduate assistant, while also providing salary ranges for administrative and health service staff.

OAU, one of Nigeria’s most respected universities, continues to maintain a structured salary framework aligned with the federal government’s Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and other approved salary schemes for university employees.

OAU lecturers and professors salary structure

The salary structure for academic staff at OAU follows the CONUASS system, which is used across many federal universities in Nigeria to determine pay levels and career progression.

The system assigns different salary ranges based on rank and years of experience. According to the university’s recruitment publication, academic salaries range from entry-level graduate assistants to the highest academic rank of professor.

Below is the breakdown of the annual salary range for academic staff at OAU.

Professor – CONUASS 07

A professor is the highest academic rank within the university system and usually requires extensive teaching experience, strong research output and significant academic contributions.

At OAU, professors earn an annual salary ranging between:

N7,328,847 – N9,477,789

This salary reflects the highest level within the CONUASS structure.

Reader – CONUASS 06

A reader is a senior academic who is typically on the path to becoming a professor. This rank requires strong research publications and many years of teaching experience.

At OAU, the salary range for readers is:

N5,699,772 – N7,407,729 per year

Senior Lecturer – CONUASS 05

Senior lecturers form an important part of the university’s teaching and research workforce. They often supervise postgraduate students and lead major research projects.

The annual salary range for senior lecturers at OAU is:

N4,765,058 – N6,649,086

Lecturer I – CONUASS 04

Lecturer I positions are mid-level academic roles usually occupied by scholars with doctoral degrees and several years of teaching experience.

At OAU, lecturers in this category earn:

N3,511,653 – N4,387,475 annually

Lecturer II – CONUASS 03

Lecturer II roles often serve as entry-level positions for many academic staff members who have recently completed their postgraduate studies.

According to the salary structure, the annual earnings for this category are:

N2,887,448 – N3,366,138

Assistant Lecturer – CONUASS 02

Assistant lecturers typically hold master’s degrees and are still building their academic and research portfolios.

The salary range for assistant lecturers at OAU is:

N2,599,713 – N3,040,268 per year

Graduate Assistant – CONUASS 01

Graduate assistants represent the entry point into the academic career ladder at most Nigerian universities.

At OAU, graduate assistants earn an annual salary between:

N2,327,557 – N2,594,922

These positions often serve as training roles for young academics who intend to pursue doctoral studies and advance into lecturing positions.

Salary range for non-teaching staff at OAU

Beyond academic roles, OAU also disclosed salary structures for several non-teaching staff categories within the university system.

These employees fall under various government-approved salary frameworks such as CONTISS, CONMESS and CONHESS, depending on their profession and department.

CONTISS salary structure

Administrative and technical staff fall under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS).

Some of the salary ranges include:

• CONTISS 09: N2,597,237 – N3,554,620

• CONTISS 08: N2,305,048 – N3,186,156

• CONTISS 07: N2,051,825 – N2,800,447

• CONTISS 06: N1,571,938 – N2,133,164

• CONTISS 05: N1,103,706 – N1,409,344

• CONTISS 03: N952,989 – N1,168,816

CONMESS salary structure

Medical professionals working within the university system are placed on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The publication shows that staff under CONMESS 03 earn between:

N3,710,061 – N4,436,476 annually

CONHESS salary structure

Health professionals such as laboratory technologists, nurses and pharmacists fall under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The salary ranges listed include:

• CONHESS 09: N2,388,908 – N3,238,831

• CONHESS 08: N2,084,753 – N2,873,068

• CONHESS 07: N1,871,883 – N2,533,504

• CONHESS 05: N1,082,063 – N1,349,620

• CONHESS 02: N934,441 – N1,091,714

These structures ensure that non-teaching staff working in different professional roles receive salaries aligned with national pay frameworks.

About Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University, located in Ile-Ife in Osun State, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent federal universities.

The institution was established in 1962 and has since gained recognition for academic excellence, innovative research and its distinctive campus architecture.

OAU currently offers programmes across multiple faculties, attracting thousands of students from across Nigeria and beyond.

Admission into the university is highly competitive, with many applicants required to score at least 200 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) before participating in the institution’s post-UTME screening.

The university is currently led by Vice-Chancellor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, a professor of Agricultural Economics who assumed office in June 2022.

Over the years, OAU has produced numerous graduates who have gone on to excel in various professional fields.

FAQs

How much do professors earn at OAU?

Professors at Obafemi Awolowo University earn between N7.3 million and N9.4 million per year depending on their step level within the CONUASS salary structure.

What is the starting salary for graduate assistants at OAU?

Graduate assistants earn between N2.3 million and N2.59 million annually, making it the entry-level position in the academic career ladder.

What salary structure is used for lecturers in Nigerian universities?

Most federal universities use the CONUASS (Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure) for academic staff salaries.

Do non-teaching staff at OAU use the same salary scale as lecturers?

No. Non-teaching staff are paid under different frameworks such as CONTISS, CONMESS and CONHESS depending on their professional roles.

Where is Obafemi Awolowo University located?

The university is located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

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