The Nigerian government has released ₦2.3 billion to university-based unions to clear outstanding salary arrears and improve staff welfare, according to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Alausa said the funds were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and would soon reach universities across the country.
“A total of ₦2.311 billion has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities,” he announced. “Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”
The minister said the move was part of ongoing efforts to address long-standing welfare and funding disputes between the government and university unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He added that the administration was determined to resolve these challenges through fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue.
Mr Alausa also revealed that the government was finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances for university staff.
He announced that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) would be fully integrated into salaries from 2026 to ensure “prompt, predictable, and sustainable” payments.
Funds have also been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities Project, which provides budgetary support for infrastructure and institutional development.
The minister said that in the past 26 months, the government had cleared a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with both academic and non-academic unions.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said. “All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
He added that future negotiations with ASUU and other unions would be handled by the Yayale Ahmed committee to ensure that agreements were “realistic and financially sustainable.”