By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
FRESH FINANCIAL relief is underway for Nigeria’s public universities as the Federal Government has announced the release of N2.3 billion to settle arrears and backlogs owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, the funds were released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
The ministry confirmed that the payment represents Batch 8 of salary and promotion arrears due to university staff.
“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 ministry added that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising arrangements to release third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
The process, it said, is expected to be completed within the coming days.
Providing additional clarification, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu remains steadfast in his resolve to settle inherited obligations and improve the welfare of staff across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
He said the latest release is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to address longstanding financial and welfare issues through a transparent and sustainable approach.
Dr Alausa explained that the Tinubu administration had resolved to clear all inherited backlogs of arrears and ensure the welfare of academic and non-academic staff is prioritised as part of its education sector reforms.
He disclosed that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university salaries beginning from 2026.
This adjustment, he noted, will ensure predictable, prompt, and sustainable payments for academic staff going forward.
The minister also confirmed that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, with corresponding budgetary provisions now in place to sustain the intervention.
The programme, he said, remains a key component of the administration’s effort to improve infrastructure, research capacity, and the overall learning environment in higher institutions.
“These measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades,” Dr Alausa said.
“Within the last twenty-six months, the Federal Government has paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions.”
He assured that the Ministry of Education continues to engage with university unions in good faith, emphasising that such engagements are grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for due process.
“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,” the minister stated.
Dr Alausa disclosed that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to play a critical role as a bridge between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions, ensuring that all outstanding welfare-related issues are addressed through constructive dialogue.
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added.
Reiterating the administration’s fiscal discipline, Dr Alausa stated that the government will not engage in unsustainable financial commitments that could undermine national stability.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said.
“All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
The minister commended President Tinubu for his dedication to repositioning Nigeria’s education sector, noting that several structural and financial challenges that had lingered for decades are now being addressed under the current administration.
He said the President’s commitment to accountability, education funding reform, and improved staff welfare underscores a broader national effort to restore credibility and functionality to the university system.
Dr Alausa expressed confidence that the ongoing fiscal interventions and reforms will foster lasting industrial harmony, restore trust between the government and university unions, and strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions as engines of national development.
A statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education on October 29, 2025, added that the education ministry will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and relevant unions to ensure that the disbursed funds reach the intended beneficiaries without delay.
The Federal Government, he said, remains focused on creating an enabling environment where universities can operate efficiently and competitively while upholding accountability and sustainability in public expenditure.
The statement reiterated that the Tinubu administration views education as a cornerstone of national development and will continue to prioritise initiatives that promote equity, access, and excellence in higher learning.
The government also assured that all measures being implemented are designed to achieve long-term stability and ensure that Nigeria’s universities are better equipped to fulfil their academic and developmental mandates.
