From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has released N2.3 billion to federal universities across the country to settle outstanding salary and promotion arrears for academic staff.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the move is part of ongoing efforts to improve staff welfare and strengthen dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He explained that the funds, tagged Batch 8, were approved by President Bola Tinubu to address persistent salary-related grievances in the university system.
According to the Minister, the money has been disbursed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to the affected institutions. He assured that university staff would begin to receive payment alerts soon.
“A total of N2.311bn, 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”, Alausa said.
The Minister stated that the payment of salary and promotion arrears was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to resolve outstanding issues with university-based unions and maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions. He added that the government was also finalising arrangements for the release of other pending deductions, including pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
Alausa reiterated that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) — a long-standing demand by ASUU will be fully integrated into university salary structures starting from 2026. This, he said, would ensure timely and sustainable payments going forward.
He emphasised that the administration of President Tinubu remains committed to fostering a stable academic environment and engaging with unions in good faith. He also noted that the government’s negotiation committee, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, continues to hold productive discussions with ASUU and other unions.
“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. Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully. Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system”, Alausa added.
The Minister appealed to university lecturers to reciprocate the government’s gesture by supporting the ongoing reform efforts aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s higher education sector.
He reaffirmed that the government’s approach to resolving the challenges facing federal universities would be based on transparency, sustainability, and mutual respect.
