In a significant move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system and improving staff welfare across public universities, the Federal Government has released a total of ₦2.3 billion to federal universities for the payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears.
The announcement, made by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, marks a major step toward fulfilling the government’s promise to resolve long-standing financial obligations owed to academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This development comes amid ongoing efforts to maintain industrial harmony in Nigeria’s university system and demonstrates the government’s renewed commitment to continuous dialogue with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions.
Overview of the ₦2.3 Billion Disbursement
The ₦2.3 billion released represents Batch 8 of the payment of salary and promotion arrears to federal universities. The funds were disbursed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to ensure transparency and proper accounting.
According to the Ministry of Education, the move aligns with the administration’s drive to clear all verified arrears owed to academic staff in phases while working to prevent such backlogs from occurring in the future.
Below is a summary of the current release:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Amount Released | ₦2.311 billion |
| Purpose | Payment of salary and promotion arrears (Batch 8) |
| Beneficiaries | Academic staff across federal universities |
| Supervising Agency | Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) |
| Coordinating Ministry | Federal Ministry of Education |
| Announced By | Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education |
Government’s Position on ASUU Dialogue
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, Dr. Alausa reiterated that the Ministry of Education remains fully committed to engaging ASUU and other academic unions in meaningful, continuous dialogue.
He emphasized that the government is working closely with the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee, which serves as a vital bridge between the government and university-based unions, to ensure that all negotiations are realistic, fair, and financially sustainable.
Dr. Alausa further assured that the administration is determined to restore trust and stability in the education sector by prioritizing staff welfare, funding, and institutional support.
“Our goal is to foster an environment where academic activities can thrive without interruption. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all agreements reached are practical and sustainable,” the Minister stated.
Earned Academic Allowances to Be Mainstreamed from 2026
In another major policy shift, the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that beginning from 2026, the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) for university lecturers will be fully mainstreamed into staff salaries.
This means that rather than treating the allowance as a separate, occasional payment, it will now become a permanent component of lecturers’ monthly salaries.
The Ministry noted that this new system is designed to eliminate the recurrent delays and disputes associated with the payment of earned allowances, thereby ensuring a more stable and transparent remuneration process.
Positive Implications for Universities and Students
The government’s renewed financial commitment is expected to have far-reaching benefits for both staff and students in Nigerian universities.
- Improved Staff Morale:
Prompt settlement of arrears and inclusion of allowances in regular salaries will boost morale among academic staff, potentially leading to higher productivity and improved teaching standards. - Reduced Industrial Actions:
By addressing key financial grievances, the likelihood of strikes and work stoppages could be reduced — helping maintain uninterrupted academic calendars. - Enhanced Institutional Stability:
Universities will benefit from predictable funding streams, aiding in better planning, smoother operations, and improved academic delivery. - Better Learning Environment for Students:
With lecturers more motivated and classes running consistently, students can look forward to more focused learning and timely completion of academic sessions.
Sustainable Approach to Funding and Dialogue
The Federal Government emphasized that while it is addressing the immediate arrears, it is equally focused on adopting a long-term sustainable approach to university funding and staff welfare.
The Ministry stated that future agreements with unions will be structured around the country’s current economic realities, with a focus on ensuring that commitments made are financially achievable and backed by clear funding plans.
This balanced approach is aimed at preventing future crises arising from unfulfilled promises or delayed payments — a problem that has historically triggered industrial disputes within the university system.
Ongoing Collaboration with Key Stakeholders
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that the Ministry of Education will continue working closely with other government agencies, university managements, and unions to promote mutual understanding and accountability.
He commended ASUU and other academic unions for their patience and expressed optimism that continued dialogue would yield lasting solutions to all outstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s public universities.
Expert Reactions
Educational analysts have described the ₦2.3 billion release as a “welcome development” and a positive indicator of the government’s readiness to stabilize the nation’s higher education system.
Some experts also noted that mainstreaming the Earned Academic Allowance is one of the most sustainable solutions the sector has seen in years, as it ensures lecturers are duly compensated without waiting for special disbursements.
University administrators, meanwhile, have urged the Federal Government to maintain this momentum and extend similar attention to infrastructural development, research funding, and student welfare.
What to Expect Going Forward
- Universities are expected to begin confirming receipt of the funds and disbursing them to qualified staff as soon as processing is completed.
- The Yayale Ahmed Committee is expected to resume the next round of dialogue sessions with ASUU to finalize pending negotiation points.
- The Ministry will release further updates on the progress of EAA mainstreaming and other reform initiatives in due course.
