By Oluwabukunmi
The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion as part of its ongoing efforts to clear outstanding salary and promotion arrears owed to staff of Nigerian universities, reaffirming its commitment to revitalising the nation’s tertiary education system.
The disbursement, described as Batch 8 of the payments, was processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and is aimed at improving the welfare of both academic and non-academic university workers.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folashade Boriowo.
According to the minister, “A total of ₦2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the OAGF to universities across the country. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”
Alausa added that the government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is also finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), expected to be completed within days.
He further announced that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) will be fully mainstreamed into university workers’ salaries from 2026, ensuring timely and predictable payments. The minister also confirmed that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities programme, with provisions in the national budget to sustain it.
“These interventions demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades,” the statement read.
Dr. Alausa noted that within the past 26 months, the government has settled a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open and transparent dialogue with all university unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are conducted truthfully and in good faith,” he said. “However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable.”
He emphasised that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to play a key mediating role between the Federal Government and university-based unions to ensure that welfare-related issues are resolved through “honest, mutual, and respectful dialogue.”
Reiterating the government’s stance against unsustainable fiscal practices, the minister said, “Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system. All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
Dr. Alausa expressed optimism that the ongoing fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with unions would usher in lasting industrial harmony, restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.
