The Federal Government has disbursed N2.31 billion to federal universities to settle outstanding arrears owed to academic and non-academic staff.
Announcing the payment on Thursday, the Personal Assistant on Special Duties to the President, Kamorudeen Yusuf, quoted Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa as saying the funds were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and that universities would start receiving the money immediately.
Alausa said the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to long-term reforms focused on staff welfare and financial transparency in the education sector. He added that the government is also concluding arrangements to release withheld third-party deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management system.
The minister revealed that Earned Academic Allowances will be fully included in university salaries by 2026 to ensure timely and predictable payment, and that funding for the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative has been sustained.
He assured that discussions with ASUU and other university unions are ongoing in good faith and will respect realistic budget limits to maintain stability in the education system.
The funding announcement comes after ASUU recently suspended a two-week warning strike following renewed talks with the government.
