BREAKING: FG releases ₦2.3bn to settle University Lecturers’ salary, promotion arrears

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the release of ₦2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears owed to university lecturers across the country.

Very Nigerian reports that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while giving updates on the government’s ongoing engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions.

He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s tertiary education system through fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the released funds represent Batch 8 of the salary and promotion arrears processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Alausa noted that this reflects the administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and improve staff welfare.

“A total of ₦2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, 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,” he stated.

He further revealed that the government is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, with completion expected soon.

Alausa also announced that the Federal Government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance into university staff salaries beginning in 2026 to ensure timely and sustainable payments.

He added that funds have also been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities scheme, with budgetary provisions made for its continuation.

“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith.

However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,” Alausa said.

He emphasised that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to bridge discussions between the Federal Government and university unions, ensuring all welfare-related issues are resolved through mutual respect and sincerity.

Meanwhile, some lecturers have expressed doubt over the announcement, claiming that their October 2025 salaries remain unpaid.

A lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said, “I can speak with all authority that the October salaries have not been paid, so we are surprised at the announcement by the ministry.”

Another lecturer from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, described the persistent salary delays as “a worrying trend.”

Though ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, could not be reached for comment, a northern branch chairman of the union confirmed that members have yet to receive any payment.

ASUU has long been in a standoff with the Federal Government over withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and poor funding of public universities.

The union recently ended a two-week warning strike after interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the National Assembly.

The lecturers are demanding full implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation funds for public universities, and sustainable financing for tertiary education.

The renegotiation process, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation has yet to commence.

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