The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to clear the salary and promotion arrears of university lecturers across the country, reaffirming its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education system through transparent and sustainable reforms.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday while providing updates on ongoing engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions.
According to him, the funds representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears have been processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
“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,” the minister said.
Alausa added that the government is also finalizing the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, noting that the process would be completed in the coming days.
He emphasized that the move reflected the administration’s commitment to settling inherited financial obligations within the university system and ensuring sustainable funding for education.
The minister further revealed that starting from 2026, the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) would be fully mainstreamed into university staff salaries to ensure prompt and consistent disbursement.
“This new arrangement will eliminate recurrent delays in the payment of earned allowances and promote transparency,” he noted.
Alausa also confirmed that additional funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities programme, with provisions in the upcoming budget to sustain the initiative.
He stressed that the Federal Government would continue to engage constructively with ASUU and other unions through the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee, ensuring that all welfare matters are addressed through sincere and respectful dialogue.
“While the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,” Alausa added.
ASUU has been in a prolonged dispute with the Federal Government over unpaid salaries, withheld allowances, and the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement. The union recently suspended its two-week warning strike following interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Assembly.
The latest fund release is seen as a significant step toward easing tensions and restoring confidence between the government and university lecturers.
