Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to unions across federal universities to offset long-standing arrears, reaffirming its commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday while providing an update on ongoing talks between the government and various university-based unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to Alausa, the funds were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), underscoring President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to resolving inherited salary backlogs and improving the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff.
> “A total of ₦2.311 billion has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities,”
the minister stated, adding that
“Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”
Alausa further disclosed that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, was finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to NUPEMCO, expected to be completed in the coming days.
He also revealed that from 2026, the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) would be fully integrated into university staff salaries — a move aimed at ensuring prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments.
Additionally, the minister confirmed that funds had been disbursed under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities Project, backed by appropriate budgetary allocations to sustain the initiative.
> “Within the last 26 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,”
Alausa noted.
He assured that the government’s negotiations with ASUU and other unions were being conducted “truthfully and in good faith,” emphasizing that while staff welfare remained a priority, only realistic and financially sustainable agreements would be pursued.
Alausa highlighted the role of the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee, which continues to serve as a bridge between the government and university unions, ensuring that all welfare-related issues are addressed through honest and respectful dialogue.
> “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,”
he stressed.
Commending President Tinubu for his dedication to educational reform, Alausa noted that several issues that had lingered for decades were finally being addressed decisively under the current administration.
