FG DISBURSES N2.3B TO CLEAR OFF UNIVERSITIES UNIONS’ SALARY ARREARS
Read Time:2 Minute, 42 Second
HOTJIST NEWS
The Federal Government has announced that it has disbursed approximately ₦2.3 billion to settle outstanding payments and delays owed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-affiliated unions.
A statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, said the funds was released through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
“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 additionally revealed that the Federal Government, via the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalizing the disbursement of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to Nigerian University Pension Management (NUPEMCO), anticipated to be concluded in the forthcoming days.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, while offering updates on ongoing discussions with ASUU and other higher education unions, asserted that President Bola Tinubu remains steadfast in his commitment to resolve all ongoing welfare and funding concerns in a transparent, equitable, and sustainable manner.
According to him, the Tinubu Administration has resolved to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the tertiary education sector.
He added that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026, noting that this will ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward.
In addition, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain the initiative.
He reaffirmed that these measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades.
“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.
“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,” Dr. Alausa stated.
He described that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee persists in functioning as a conduit between the Federal Government and the unions of tertiary institutions, guaranteeing that all outstanding welfare-related matters are resolved through sincere and mutually respectful discourse.
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added.
Dr. Alausa reiterated that the Federal Government will not engage in unsustainable fiscal practices.
“Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,” he said, stressing that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
He praised President Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the education sector, observing that numerous challenges that had endured for decades are now being addressed resolutely under his leadership.
The Minister conveyed hope that the present wave of reforms and financial initiatives will bring about enduring industrial peace, reinstating trust in Nigeria’s higher education system, and enhancing institutional capability for national advancement.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0