The Federal Government of Nigeria has disbursed ₦50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances owed to academic and non-academic staff of federal universities across the country. The payment marks a significant step toward resolving long-standing labor disputes in the nation’s higher education sector.
This development was confirmed in a statement titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority”, issued by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olagunji Alausa, the disbursement underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing education and university workers’ welfare.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olagunji 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,” the statement read.
Dr. Alausa commended the university unions for maintaining peace and avoiding strike actions, attributing Nigeria’s ongoing longest uninterrupted academic session in recent history to the mutual understanding between the government and university communities.
He noted that the Tinubu administration is strongly opposed to school closures due to strikes, emphasizing the importance of youth education to national development.
“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,” President Tinubu said via the Ministry’s statement.
Background: A History of Disputes
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university unions have historically engaged in frequent strike actions over unpaid allowances, poor funding, and other unmet demands. One of the most notable strikes occurred in 2022, when ASUU embarked on an eight-month industrial action, prompting the government to implement a controversial ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.
However, in October 2023, President Tinubu approved the payment of four out of the eight months’ withheld salaries to lecturers as a palliative measure in light of ongoing economic reforms.
By February 2024, disbursement of the withheld salaries began, signaling renewed efforts to restore trust and stability within Nigeria’s public university system.
