According to reports, the money is to clear the backlog of arrears owed to academic unions in federal universities
Innan effort to resolving the lingering face-offs between the the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the government has announced the release of N2.3 billion to union.
According to reports, the money is to clear the backlog of arrears owed to academic unions in federal universities.
This is as the Federal Government also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to revitalizing tertiary education sector through decisive fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and other university-based unions.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa on Wednesday in Abuja.
He stated this while providing updates on the government’s ongoing engagements with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions.
The Minister emphasized that President Bola Tinubu remained resolute in his determination to resolving all lingering welfare and funding challenges with the union in a transparent, fair, and sustainable manner.
Alausa noted that the released funds, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, underscored the Tinubu administration’s commitment to clearing inherited backlogs. And to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in tertiary institutions.
He said, “A total of ₦2.311 billion 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 also revealed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, was finalizing the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to NUPEMCO. He pointed that exercise is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Alausa also disclosed that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) would be fully mainstreamed into university staff salaries beginning from 2026. Just as he ensured that prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward.
He further stated that funds had been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities project, with corresponding budgetary provisions to sustain the initiative.
According to him, these measures demonstrated the Federal Government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades
“Within the last 26 months, the Federal Government had paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions,” he stated.
The Minister assured that the Government’s engagements with ASUU and other unions were being conducted “truthfully and in good faith”.
He emphasized that while the Government was committed to improving staff welfare, it would only enter into agreements that were realistic and financially sustainable.
Alausa explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continued to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and tertiary institutions’ unions. Ensuring that all the pending welfare-related issues were addressed through honest and mutually respectful dialogue.
He stressed that the Federal Government would 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.
“All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability,” Alausa said
Source: NAN