FG Releases ₦2.3 Billion for University Salary Arrears, Moves to Fully Mainstream Earned Academic Allowances by 2026

In a major stride toward revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education system and improving the welfare of university workers, the Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion for the payment of Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country. The disbursement, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), is expected to be received by affected staff immediately.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the release underscores the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to resolving inherited financial backlogs and restoring trust within the nation’s academic sector.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the payment represents another decisive step in ensuring that the welfare of university staff remains a top government priority.

In addition to the arrears, the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF are finalizing the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO). This process, once concluded, will further ease the financial strain on institutions and enhance the integrity of staff pension administration.

Significantly, the Federal Government has also approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into the salaries of university staff beginning in 2026. This policy shift aims to eliminate recurrent delays in the disbursement of allowances and ensure a more transparent, sustainable system for rewarding academic staff performance.

Moreover, funds have been disbursed under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities (NANU) program, with clear budgetary allocations to ensure the continuity of the intervention. This move aligns with the administration’s broader objective of repositioning universities to deliver globally competitive education and research.

Dr. Alausa further highlighted the continued role of the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee, which serves as a crucial link between the Federal Government and the various unions in the tertiary education sector. The committee remains instrumental in fostering dialogue, resolving disputes, and maintaining industrial harmony across campuses.

With these latest financial interventions and policy decisions, the Tinubu-led administration signals a renewed commitment to stabilizing Nigeria’s higher education sector, enhancing staff motivation, and laying the groundwork for a more resilient and productive university system.