Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the implementation of the new salary structure for staff of all state-owned tertiary institutions, with effect from 2026.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, disclosed this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
According to a press release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, Nwagor said the payment of the new salary structure and the accompanying arrears would commence as soon as funds are released by the state government.
The commissioner said the implementation is in line with the 2026 agreements between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), aimed at improving workers’ welfare and promoting industrial harmony.
He explained that the upward review covers the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONUASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Staff Salary Structure (CONTISS), alongside improved allowances and other benefits contained in the agreements.
The Commissioner said the familiarisation visit, held at the university’s Postgraduate Hall, was aimed at engaging stakeholders, understanding the institution’s challenges and exploring areas of closer collaboration between the state government and the university.
Nwagor commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, and his management team for their reception and contributions to teacher education in Rivers State.
He urged the university to remain committed to quality, accountability and measurable outcomes, stressing that public investment in education must translate into improved learning, stronger research and employable graduates.
The Commissioner also challenged IAUE to emerge as a leading centre for research in teacher education, science, mathematics, technology and educational management, with research outputs capable of providing practical solutions to societal challenges and informing public policy.
He called for the production of teachers who are academically sound, technologically competent, ethically grounded and innovative enough to meet the demands of the 21st-century classroom.
Nwagor further urged the university to comply fully with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards and assess its programmes and facilities against clear performance indicators.
He encouraged stronger partnerships with industries, professional bodies and the private sector to create opportunities for internships, entrepreneurship and graduate employment, while also calling for the re-engagement of the institution’s alumni network as partners in its development.
The Commissioner assured the university that the Ministry of Education would continue to promote prudent management of public resources and present issues requiring government intervention for appropriate consideration, within available resources and policy.
He described the visit as the beginning of a deeper partnership between the ministry and the university, expressing optimism that the collaboration would contribute to building the Rivers State envisioned by its founding fathers.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Onuchuku, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for approving the implementation of the agreement with the unions.
He assured the Commissioner that the university would continue to discharge its responsibilities and comply with directives from the NUC.
However, the Vice-Chancellor appealed for increased government intervention in critical areas, including hostel accommodation, staff offices, classrooms, science laboratories, perimeter fencing, electricity supply and the rehabilitation of the university’s access road.
Onuchuku stressed that sustainable development of the institution could not be achieved without adequate funding and called on stakeholders to support efforts to advance the growth of the university.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, and other directors of the ministry.
