Government Moves To Calm ASUU Tensions, Releases ₦2.3 Billion & Promises More Reforms
By MELVIN KOFFA
THE Federal Government has begun taking steps to ease tensions with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), releasing ₦2.3 billion in salary and promotion arrears as part of renewed efforts to address the union’s long-standing grievances.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the development in Abuja, saying the payment—covering Batch 8 arrears—has been processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and that universities will start receiving funds shortly.
The update, contained in a statement by ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo, comes amid fears of another strike by ASUU following the union’s two-week warning action earlier this month.
ASUU’s Warning Strike and Fresh Demands
ASUU had recently embarked on a two-week warning strike, citing the government’s failure to honour key agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG pact, payment of withheld salaries, adequate funding for public universities, and the revitalisation of university infrastructure.
The union suspended the strike after 10 days, following what it described as “fruitful engagements” with federal officials—but warned that industrial action could resume if government commitments faltered.
Government’s Response and New Commitments
Dr. Alausa said the government is “taking concrete steps” to resolve all pending issues, confirming that it is finalising the release of third-party deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO)—a process he said would be completed soon.
He also disclosed that the government has approved the mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into lecturers’ salaries starting from 2026, ending years of uncertainty over the allowance’s irregular disbursement.
In addition, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities programme, with budgetary provisions made to sustain it as a long-term intervention in the tertiary education sector.
“Our priority is to revitalise Nigerian universities through fiscal reforms, predictable funding, and sustained engagement with all academic unions,” Alausa stated.
Dialogue Still Ongoing
The minister reaffirmed that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiation Committee continues to engage ASUU and other tertiary institution unions to resolve welfare and funding-related disputes through “honest and mutually respectful dialogue.”
“All commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee sustainability,” Alausa said, stressing that the Tinubu administration is committed to resolving the ASUU issue “responsibly and permanently.”
Summary:
The government’s latest concessions—₦2.3bn arrears, EAA integration, and new funding commitments—signal a move toward long-term stability in Nigeria’s university system. But whether these measures will be enough to stave off another ASUU strike remains to be seen.
