The Federal Government has disbursed ₦2.3 billion as Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to public universities across the country.
The payment, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, reflects the commitment of President Tinubu‘s Administration to clear inherited financial backlogs and improve the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, announced this development in Abuja while providing updates on the government’s ongoing engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions.
“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,” Dr. Alausa said.
He added that the Federal Government is finalizing the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), which is expected to be completed shortly.
According to the Minister, the government had also approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries starting from 2026. This reform aims to ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments to staff going forward.
Additionally, funds had been disbursed under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universitiesprogramme, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain and strengthen the initiative.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that these measures underscore the government’s strong commitment to enhancing staff welfareand resolving longstanding issues in the higher education sector.
He noted that over the past 26 months, the Federal Government had cleared a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open dialogue with all unions in the tertiary education system.
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures that all engagements are 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 also noted that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee would continue to serve as a key bridge between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions, facilitating dialogue and resolving welfare-related matters.
Reiterating the government’s position, the Minister said: “Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system. All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.”
Dr. Alausa expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms and fiscal interventions would promote industrial harmony, restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.
