FG Releases ₦2.3 Billion to Clear University Salary and Promotion Arrears
The Federal Government has announced the release of ₦2.3 billion to settle outstanding salary and promotion arrears for university staff across the country. The funds, according to the Ministry of Education, mark the eighth batch of payments under an ongoing effort to clear backlogs owed to academic and non-academic staff in federal universities.
A statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, confirmed that the disbursement was processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). The move, she noted, aligns with the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of education sector workers and addressing inherited financial obligations.
Quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the statement emphasized that the government is taking concrete steps to restore stability and morale within Nigeria’s tertiary education system. “This administration is determined to ensure that all legitimate arrears owed to our hardworking university staff are cleared in phases. The release of ₦2.3 billion is a continuation of that commitment,” Dr. Alausa said.
The Minister added that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General are also in the final stages of releasing third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO). These remittances, he noted, are expected to be completed shortly to address other pending financial obligations to university employees.
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In a further development, Dr. Alausa revealed that the Federal Government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries, starting from 2026. This integration aims to eliminate delays and ensure a sustainable, predictable payment structure for academic incentives. “Once mainstreamed, the EAA will no longer depend on periodic releases; it will be part of the regular salary system,” the Minister explained.
He also disclosed that funding under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities (NANU) programme has been released to support infrastructure and academic development projects across campuses. Budgetary provisions, he said, have already been made to sustain the initiative in future fiscal cycles.
Dr. Alausa commended the ongoing efforts of the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee, which continues to facilitate dialogue between the Federal Government and various unions in the tertiary education sector, including ASUU, SSANU, and NASU. The committee, he noted, serves as “a bridge of understanding and cooperation,” helping to prevent industrial disputes and maintain harmony within the education system.
Reactions to the announcement have been mixed across the academic community and social media. While some staff members and observers have praised the government’s move as a “positive and much-needed step,” others remain skeptical about the sufficiency and timing of the funds. Critics argue that ₦2.3 billion may not be enough to meaningfully cover arrears across the country’s federal universities, given their large workforce and varying levels of outstanding obligations.
Observers also caution that the government must extend similar attention to polytechnics and colleges of education, warning that selective disbursements could spark renewed tensions within the tertiary education sector.
Despite these concerns, education analysts view the development as a sign of renewed fiscal commitment under the current administration. The phased payments, if consistently implemented, could gradually restore trust and confidence among university staff after years of industrial unrest and delayed entitlements.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its intention to continue working with relevant agencies to ensure prompt and transparent payment of all verified arrears. “The welfare of our educators remains central to achieving the national vision of a functional, high-quality education system,” the statement concluded.