…Head of Service says TSA remained in force until December 2025, clarifies 30% Peculiar Allowance applies to core civil servants only
The Kwara State Government has dismissed claims circulating in parts of the media over the implementation of teachers’ allowances, describing them as misleading and unfounded.
In a press release issued on Sunday by the Office of the Head of Service, the government clarified issues surrounding the 30 per cent Peculiar Allowance and the Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA) of 27.5 per cent and 21 per cent.
The statement responded to allegations by some teachers that the TSA had ceased several years ago, that teachers were excluded from the 30 per cent Peculiar Allowance enjoyed by other civil servants, and that the allowance structure now allows a Grade Level 04 officer in the core civil service to earn more than a Grade Level 07 teacher.
According to the Office of the Head of Service, the TSA was approved following an agreement signed between the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Nigeria Union of Teachers on August 6, 2008. The allowance was implemented in 2010 and remained in effect until December 2025, when the Kwara State Government approved a comprehensive review of the allowance in line with teachers’ certifications as recognised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. The revised structure, the statement said, is scheduled to take effect from January 2026.
On the issue of the Peculiar Allowance, the government explained that the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance approved by the Federal Government applies specifically to workers in the core civil service as part of a salary harmonisation effort. The allowance was introduced to address remuneration gaps, as other categories of workers already enjoy profession-based allowances or enhanced salary structures.
The statement noted that health workers, judicial workers, tertiary institution staff, and other categories of workers with specific allowances are excluded from the Peculiar Allowance. Teachers, it added, fall within this category due to the TSA and other sector-specific benefits.
The Office of the Head of Service further emphasised that the introduction of the Peculiar Allowance in Kwara State is a new initiative, reflecting the current administration’s focus on workers’ welfare. It highlighted several interventions in the education sector, including the payment of 345 per cent outstanding salary arrears dating back to 2016, the clearance of promotion arrears from 2015, regular approval of annual promotions up to 2025, and the bridging of salary disparities between teachers under the Teaching Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board.
Other measures listed include regular capacity-building programmes for teachers since 2019 and the restoration of annual incremental steps over the past three years.
The government maintained that despite the implementation of the 30 per cent Peculiar Allowance for core civil servants, teachers’ salaries remain higher than those of their counterparts on the same grade levels in the ministries. It stressed that allowances are meant to promote salary balance rather than create competition among workers.
The statement also reminded workers that the state government retains the authority to review remuneration based on available resources and sustainability considerations. It advised that all grievances should be channelled through recognised trade unions and urged public servants to comply with Public Service Rules regarding media engagements.
The statement was signed by the Press Secretary to the Office of the Head of Service, Okanlawon Solomon.
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