Sudan government allocates 21 billion pounds for universities as professors maintain strike threat
March 25, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government has allocated 21 billion pounds in the 2026 budget to improve conditions for employees at state higher education institutions, a move rejected by a prominent professors’ committee that plans to proceed with a strike on Sunday.
The Sudanese University Professors Committee (LAJSO) turned down the funding, demanding instead the formal approval of a specific salary structure and service terms recommended by a cabinet technical committee in 2023.
University staff have faced a sharp decline in living standards as the value of the Sudanese pound has plummeted and inflation has soared during the country’s prolonged conflict. Many employees have reported months of unpaid or delayed salaries and benefits.
Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Ahmed Mudawi Musa said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Finance had approved the funding to cover improved service terms, training, and operational costs.
Musa stated the funds would be deposited into university accounts to support academic staff, teaching assistants, and other personnel. He added that the state leadership recognizes university professors as a pillar of national development.
Manal Ahmed al-Sayed, a senior finance official at the ministry, said at least 11.9 billion pounds would be allocated to professors’ salaries. Under the plan, a full professor’s monthly salary would start at 1 million pounds, with associate and assistant professors receiving 900,000 and 850,000 pounds respectively.
About 7 billion pounds has been earmarked for non-academic staff salaries, according to the ministry.
However, LAJSO said in a statement that the issue was not merely about a percentage increase in wages. The committee argued that the profession requires a fair legal framework to ensure stability and respect for educators’ roles.
The committee stated that any wage hike without implementing the 2023 salary structure and service regulations was an attempt to bypass the core issue.
LAJSO said it remains open to negotiating a phased implementation of the salary structure, given the country’s current circumstances, but confirmed it would proceed with a full strike at higher education institutions starting Sunday.