The Federal Government, on Wednesday, announced the release of the sum of N2.3bn to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to lecturers across Nigerian universities.
The move is part of the government’s efforts to avert the looming strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the release of the funds on Wednesday while giving updates on ongoing engagements with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the payment represents Batch 8 of the salary and promotion arrears processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Alausa said the disbursement reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resolving long-standing welfare issues in the tertiary education sector in a transparent and sustainable manner.
“A total of N2.31bn, 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.
He added that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances, which are expected to be completed in the coming days.
Alausa also announced that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance into university staff salaries from 2026, to ensure predictable and timely payments going forward.
In addition, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, with fresh budgetary provisions to sustain it.
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith,” Alausa said. “While the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable.”
He explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and university unions, with the aim of resolving outstanding welfare-related disputes through honest and respectful dialogue.
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added. “Our priority is to ensure all matters are addressed responsibly and within approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
ASUU has been in a prolonged standoff with the Federal Government over unpaid salaries, withheld arrears, and the stalled implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU–FG Agreement.
The union, which represents thousands of lecturers in public universities, recently suspended a two-week warning strike following interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the National Assembly.
ASUU’s key demands include payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation funds for universities, implementation of the 2009 agreement, and clearance of promotion arrears and cooperative deductions.
The most recent renegotiation committee, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation has yet to begin.
