The Federal Government has announced the release of ₦2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to university lecturers across the country.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday while giving updates on ongoing engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions. He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising the nation’s higher education system through decisive fiscal interventions, reforms, and open dialogue.
According to a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Alausa explained that the funds—representing Batch 8 of salary and promotion arrears—were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
“A total of ₦2.311 billion has been released to universities nationwide. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now,” Alausa stated.
He added that the government was finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances, expected to be completed within days.
The minister further revealed that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) will be fully integrated into lecturers’ monthly salaries from 2026, ensuring more predictable and sustainable payments. Additionally, funds have been disbursed under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative to address infrastructure gaps in public institutions.
Alausa assured that the ongoing engagements with university unions were being conducted in “good faith” and that the government would only commit to agreements that were realistic and fiscally
sustainable.“We cannot afford unsustainable fiscal practices. Every agreement must align with approved budgetary provisions to ensure long-term stability,” he added.
He also praised the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee for bridging discussions between the government and the unions, emphasising that all talks were being held “sincerely and respectfully.”
🎓 Lecturers Dismiss Government Claim, Say October Salaries Unpaid
Despite the announcement, several lecturers across public universities have expressed frustration, claiming that their October 2025 salaries have not been paid.
A lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, told our correspondent that, “We have not been paid a dime. The ministry’s announcement came as a surprise to us.”
Another lecturer from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, echoed similar sentiments, describing the delay as “becoming a trend.”
The ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, could not be reached for comments, but a union branch leader from a northern university confirmed that no payment had been received, stressing that morale among lecturers remained low.
ASUU has been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over issues including the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, and improved funding for public universities.
The union only recently suspended a two-week warning strike after interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Yayale Ahmed Committee’s report, submitted in December 2024, is yet to be implemented, fuelling concerns that the long-standing crisis may persist if urgent action is not taken.
