The Federal Government has released about ₦2.3 billion for the payment of arrears and backlogs owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the statement, the funds were released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to various universities across the country.
“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 statement read.
The government also revealed that it is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), a process expected to be completed in the coming days.
Providing further updates, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resolving all outstanding welfare and funding issues affecting tertiary institutions in a transparent, fair, and sustainable manner.
Dr. Alausa said the administration has resolved to clear inherited backlogs and improve the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff in universities. He also announced that the government has approved the full integration of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries starting from 2026 to ensure regular and sustainable payments.
The minister added that funds have also been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain the initiative.
“These measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades,” Alausa said.
He noted that within the past twenty-six months, the Federal Government has cleared a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions in the tertiary education sector.
The minister emphasised that the government’s engagements with the unions are being carried out “truthfully and in good faith,” but cautioned that only agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable will be entered into.
He further disclosed that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to mediate between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions to ensure that all pending welfare-related issues are addressed through sincere and respectful dialogue.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said, stressing that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
Dr. Alausa commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to revitalising the education sector, noting that several decades-old challenges are now being addressed decisively under his leadership.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms and fiscal interventions will restore industrial harmony, strengthen institutional capacity, and boost confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
