The Federal Government has disbursed ₦2.31 billion to federal universities to clear outstanding arrears owed to both academic and non-academic staff across institutions.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Personal Assistant on Special Duties to the President, Kamorudeen Yusuf, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the funds were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and universities are expected to begin receiving payments immediately.
Alausa reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring transparency and long-term reforms that prioritise staff welfare and financial sustainability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
He further revealed that the administration is finalising the release of third-party deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
According to the Minister, the government also plans to fully integrate Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) into university salaries by 2026, ensuring prompt and predictable payments going forward. Funding for the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities project, he added, has also been sustained.
Alausa noted that all ongoing engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university unions are being conducted “in good faith,” stressing that future agreements would remain within realistic budgetary limits to safeguard long-term stability in the education system.
The announcement follows ASUU’s decision to suspend its two-week warning strike after renewed discussions with the Federal Government over unmet demands and welfare concerns.
