The Federal Government on Wednesday said it has released the sum of N2.3bn to clear salary and promotion arrears of university lecturers.

The government also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector through decisive fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other university-based unions.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while providing updates on ongoing engagements with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions. He stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains resolute in his determination to resolve all lingering welfare and funding issues in a transparent, fair, and sustainable manner, according to a statement by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

Alausa announced that the Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to universities across the country, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears. The disbursements, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, reflect the Tinubu Administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the tertiary education sector.

According to him, “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 further disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances, which he said is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Alausa added that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance 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.

“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,” Alausa stated.

He explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and the tertiary institutions’ unions, ensuring that all pending welfare-related issues are addressed through honest and mutually respectful dialogue. “Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,” he added.

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.

Meanwhile, several lecturers who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday night noted that October 2025 salaries remain unpaid despite the announcement by the ministry. Some of the lecturers who spoke under condition of anonymity expressed disappointment at what they tagged as incessant delay in the payment of salaries of university teachers.

One of the lecturers who is from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said, “I can speak with all authority that the October salaries have not been paid so we are surprised at the announcement by the ministry.

Another lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, who also spoke under anonymity, noted that salaries remained unpaid.

“It is now becoming a trend. The government now feels the need to delay our salaries without any reason.”