The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the release of ₦2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to university lecturers.
It also reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector through decisive fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue” with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known while giving updates on ongoing engagements with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains resolute in his determination to resolve all lingering welfare and funding issues “in a transparent, fair, and sustainable manner,” as stated by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
Alausa disclosed that ₦2.3 billion—representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears—has been released to universities across the country through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to him, “A total of ₦2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”
He added that the government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances, expected to be completed in the coming days.
Alausa further revealed that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries from 2026. He noted that this will “ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward.”
He also confirmed that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, with corresponding budgetary provisions to sustain it.
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith. However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,” Alausa said.
He explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions to ensure that all pending welfare issues are addressed “through honest and mutually respectful dialogue.”
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added.
Alausa reiterated that the government will not engage in unsustainable fiscal practices.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said, emphasizing that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
ASUU has been in a prolonged standoff with the Federal Government over demands for payment of withheld salaries and arrears, citing frustration over stagnant wages since 2009. The union argues that government neglect has crippled public universities, leading to frequent strikes and declining academic standards.
The union recently called off a two-week warning strike following interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the National Assembly.
Lecturers are demanding full implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions. Other grievances include payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.
The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has remained stalled since 2017, despite several committees constituted by successive governments. The most recent, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation is yet to begin.