By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion to universities across Nigeria to address welfare concerns of academic staff and strengthen industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that the fund represents Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, beneficiary universities will soon receive payment alerts, while the government is finalising remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
Alausa also announced that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), will be fully mainstreamed into salaries from 2026, ensuring predictable and timely payments.
He added that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities to sustain ongoing interventions.
He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to revitalising the university system, saying ongoing talks with unions are “in good faith” and aimed at achieving lasting industrial harmony.
