FG Releases ₦50bn for University Staff Allowances

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the release of ₦50 billion for the settlement of earned academic and non-academic allowances in federal universities, in a move aimed at addressing lingering industrial tensions in the nation’s higher education sector.

Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Tunji Alausa, made the disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja, stating that the disbursement reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector and improving staff welfare.

According to him, the funds will be distributed across all university-based unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

“This ₦50 billion release is a major step in fulfilling our pledge to university workers,” Dr. Alausa said. “We are determined to maintain a stable academic calendar and foster an environment where Nigerian students can thrive.”

However, the announcement has sparked a flurry of reactions. While some stakeholders welcomed the development, others questioned the transparency and equity of the planned disbursement.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed skepticism over the actual release of the funds, noting that the union has yet to verify any transfers. “We have heard such promises before. Until we see evidence, we will remain cautious,” he said.

Meanwhile, NASU has raised alarms over what it described as a “secret deal” between the government and ASUU. The union warned that any attempt to prioritize ASUU in the distribution could reignite tensions.

Similarly, NAAT, in a strongly worded statement, threatened to embark on industrial action if the allowances are not shared equitably among all unions. “Earned allowances are not the exclusive right of any one union,” NAAT’s spokesperson said. “We will resist any act of favoritism.”

The ₦50 billion disbursement is part of broader government efforts to reposition the tertiary education sector, which has long suffered from underfunding, poor infrastructure, and frequent strikes.

While the government urges calm and patience as the funds are processed, many within the university system await concrete evidence and fair allocation before celebrating what could be a turning point for Nigeria’s embattled university system.