FG releases ₦2.3bn for payment of university lecturers’ salary and promotion arrears

The Federal Government has approved and released ₦2.3 billion to clear outstanding salary and promotion arrears owed to university lecturers across the country.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed the development on Wednesday, assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains fully committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian university staff.

According to Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, the payment was processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and covers Batch 8 of the long-pending arrears.

Alausa stated that the disbursement aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to address inherited financial obligations and ensure stability in the education sector.

“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,” the Minister said. “Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”

He added that the move reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and sustainability in addressing staff welfare issues, particularly in the tertiary education system.

The announcement comes amid continued engagement between the Federal Government and academic unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), as both sides work to strengthen harmony within Nigeria’s higher education landscape.

This payment marks another milestone in the government’s promise to clear all outstanding entitlements and promote industrial peace in universities nationwide.