By Francis Ajuonuma
The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to offset part of the salary arrears owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions, in what observers view as another effort to ease long-standing labour tensions in the education sector.
A statement by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, on Thursday, confirmed that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had made the payment, representing Batch 8 of the salary and promotion arrears.
According to the ministry, “A total of ₦2.311 billion has been released to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”
The statement also noted that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General, was finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), expected to be completed in the coming days.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, stated that President Bola Tinubu remains resolute in clearing inherited backlogs and improving the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff transparently and sustainably.
He disclosed that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026 — a move intended to end years of agitation over delayed allowances.
“Within the last twenty-six months, the Federal Government has paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions,” Alausa said.
While government officials insist the payments reflect Tinubu’s commitment to resolving university labour disputes, education analysts argue that the amount is only a fraction of the debt owed and may not significantly reduce the deep-seated mistrust between unions and the federal authorities.
The disbursement comes amid renewed calls by ASUU for full payment of salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and concerns over the slow pace of implementing renegotiated agreements.
A senior university administrator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Abuja City News that although the release was “a welcome development,” it was “largely symbolic and insufficient to address systemic underfunding.”
Alausa maintained that while the Tinubu administration remains committed to improving staff welfare, it would not enter into “unsustainable fiscal arrangements” that could undermine economic stability.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” the minister said, adding that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions.
He praised President Tinubu for “tackling decades-old challenges head-on,” insisting that negotiations with university unions through the Yayale Ahmed Committee are ongoing “in good faith and mutual respect.”
Despite the assurances, union sources indicate that patience is wearing thin, as several unresolved welfare issues — including promotion arrears, earned allowances, and infrastructural funding — continue to dominate conversations across campuses.
For many lecturers, the ₦2.3 billion disbursement may signal a step forward. However, it also underscores the piecemeal nature of government intervention in a sector still reeling from the effects of prolonged strikes and funding neglect.
