The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to university staff across the country, reaffirming its continued commitment to dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions.
Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday while providing updates on ongoing engagements between the government and university-based unions. He emphasised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to resolve long-standing welfare and funding issues in the sector through transparency, dialogue, and fiscal reforms.
“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.
Dr. Alausa added that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to NUPEMCO, expected to be completed within days.
In a major policy shift, the minister confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries from 2026. He said the reform would ensure timely and sustainable payments to academic staff. He also noted that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities programme, with provisions made for its continuity in future budgets.
“These measures reflect the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing challenges that have persisted for decades,” Alausa said. “Within the past 26 months, this administration has cleared a major portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with university unions.”
He reaffirmed that while the government remains committed to staff welfare, future agreements would be based on realistic and financially sustainable frameworks. According to him, the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the government and tertiary institution unions, promoting sincere and constructive dialogue.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” Dr. Alausa said, stressing that commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
He commended President Tinubu for his “steadfast commitment” to education reform, noting that several issues which had lingered for years are now being decisively addressed.
Dr. Alausa expressed optimism that the ongoing fiscal interventions and policy reforms will restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, promote lasting industrial harmony, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.
