The Federal Government of Nigeria has released ₦2.311 billion to university-based unions in a bid to clear backlogs of outstanding salary and promotion arrears of both academic and non-academic staff in federal institutions.
The disclosure was made by Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, during an update in Abuja where he also touched on the government’s engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions.
According to Minister Alausa:
“A total of N2.311 billion 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.”
He further revealed that the government, via the Office of the Accountant‑General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Ministry of Finance, is “finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances.”
In addition, the minister announced that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) will be integrated into university staff salaries from 2026, with the aim of making payments “prompt, predictable, and sustainable.”
He underscored that these measures reflect the government’s commitment to long‐term stability in tertiary education:
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith. However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable.”
Recent disclosures show that over the last 26 months the government has “paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions.”
These developments come amid long-running disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector over withheld salaries, promotions, and unfulfilled agreements with staff unions. The fresh release of funds and commitments to structural reform could mark a significant step toward renewed industrial harmony and improved welfare for university staff.
