The Federal Government has announced the release of ₦50 billion to settle earned allowances for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university staff unions.
The decision of FG to release ₦50 billion was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the statement, the release of the ₦50 billion is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to honour agreements made with university unions, including ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The statement reads in part: “The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, announces the release of ₦50 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.
“This landmark development stands as yet another testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector. It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital.
“According to the Honourable Minister, “This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them. By prioritizing their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.”
“The Minister expresses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions. Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community.
The issue of earned allowances has been a recurring flashpoint in negotiations between the Federal Government and university unions.
ASUU had repeatedly called for the payment of these allowances, alongside other demands such as the replacement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
