The Federal Government has disbursed N2.3 billion as the eighth batch of salary and promotion arrears to federal universities across the country.
It also approved full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this last night while providing an update on ongoing engagements with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions.
ASUU recently suspended its two-week strike over seven unmet demands.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, quoted the minister as explaining that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), was “finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to Nigeria University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), expected to be completed in the coming days”.
He said: “A total of N2.311 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.”
Alausa added that the government approved the full mainstreaming of EAA into university staff salaries beginning from 2026, noting that this would 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 the measures demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that persisted for decades.
Within the last 26 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.”
