The Federal Government has released a total of N50 billion to clear outstanding earned allowances owed to both academic and non-academic staff in federal universities, a move that signals renewed efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The announcement was made via an official press statement issued by Mrs Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority.”
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olagunji Alausa, said the payment reinforces President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to prioritise the welfare of university staff and resolve lingering disputes that have strained the system over the years.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olagunji Alausa, announces the release of N50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of earned allowances as promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
Dr Alausa commended university unions for maintaining industrial peace in the sector and credited their cooperation with the government as the key reason behind what he described as “one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history.”
He highlighted that the administration remains unwavering in its goal of keeping educational institutions operational at all costs.
President Tinubu, through the ministry, reiterated his stance against any disruptions in academic activities caused by industrial action.
“The youth are the heartbeat of our country. Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. Keeping our children in school is not negotiable. It is my commitment that strikes in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past,” the President said.
Historically, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions have staged repeated strikes, largely in protest over unpaid earned academic allowances and inadequate funding of public universities.
In 2022, ASUU embarked on an eight-month strike that saw the Federal Government implement a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, withholding salaries throughout the duration of the industrial action. In a conciliatory gesture, President Tinubu authorised the release of four months’ worth of those withheld salaries in October 2023 to alleviate the economic strain faced by affected lecturers during the implementation of broader economic reforms.
Further reports from Nairametrics in February 2024 confirmed that the disbursement of these withheld salaries had begun, offering relief to many academics across federal universities.
This latest financial intervention is expected to ease tensions in the education sector and serve as a foundation for deeper engagement between the government and university unions.