The Federal Government has released N2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to university lecturers across the country.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this on Wednesday while giving updates on ongoing engagements between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), as well as other tertiary institution unions.
According to a statement by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, Alausa said President Bola Tinubu remains determined to address all lingering welfare and funding challenges in the nation’s universities through transparent and sustainable measures.
He explained that the payment, representing Batch 8 of salary and promotion arrears, was processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
The move, he explained, reflects the Tinubu administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff in public universities.
"A total of N2.311 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," he said.
Alausa also disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances, which are expected to be completed in the coming days.
In a move to ensure stability and predictability in staff remuneration, he announced that the Federal Government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance into university salaries from 2026.
He added that additional funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, with provisions made in future budgets to sustain it.
"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," he said.
He further mentioned that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and university-based unions to ensure that all outstanding welfare matters are resolved through mutual dialogue.
Alausa reassured that the Federal Government will not engage in unsustainable fiscal practices.
"Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system," he said.
He added that all government commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to ensure long-term stability.