The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s tertiary education sector through fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.
Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday while providing updates on ongoing engagements between the government and tertiary institution unions. He emphasised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to resolve all outstanding welfare and funding challenges transparently and sustainably.
Dr. Alausa announced the release of ₦2.3 billion — representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears — to universities nationwide. The payments, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), are part of the Tinubu administration’s effort to clear inherited financial backlogs and improve staff welfare across federal universities.
“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 minister stated.
He also revealed that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to NUPEMCO, expected to be completed within days.
In a significant policy move, Dr. Alausa confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries from 2026. This reform, he said, would ensure timely, predictable, and sustainable payments to academic staff. Additionally, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities programme, with corresponding budgetary provisions for its continuity.
Alausa said these measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing challenges that have persisted for decades, adding that within the past 26 months, the administration has cleared a major portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with university unions.
The minister further stressed that while the government remains committed to staff welfare, it would only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable. He reaffirmed that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the government and tertiary institution unions, fostering sincere and mutually respectful dialogue.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” Dr. Alausa said, noting that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
He commended President Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to education reform, saying that several issues which had lingered for decades are now being decisively addressed.
Dr. Alausa expressed optimism that the ongoing fiscal interventions and reforms will promote lasting industrial harmony, restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.
Melissa Enoch
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