PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of N50 billion to academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of their earned allowances.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, announced this on Wednesday, April 23. He described the payout as a signal of Tinubu’s resolve to end the cycle of strikes in the country.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, said the N50 billion covers outstanding entitlements owed to both academic and non-academic staff.
The funds, according to the statement, have been at the core of previous industrial disputes between the government and unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)
The minister noted that the president’s directive aligned with his vision of a quality education.
“This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our president’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them. By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education,” the statement added.
The minister also applauded the current atmosphere of peace in federal universities, noting that Nigeria had been witnessing one of its longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent times.
The minister further pledged to sustain collaboration with all education stakeholders to guarantee that every Nigerian child has access to globally competitive education.
The ICIR reported that since Tinubu emerged as president, ASUU hasn’t embarked on any industrial action. The union went on strike five times in five years under Buhari.
The group was on strike in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022. However, a hitch-free academic year was recorded in 2023.
In September 2024, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands.
The warning followed a similar ultimatum it issued in May to the government. However, despite the warning, the union did not embark on a strike.
The ICIR reported ASUU’s demands to include renegotiating the 2009 Federal Government agreement with the union, providing revitalisation funds for public universities, paying all earned academic allowances and withheld salaries, and addressing promotion arrears.
The union is also demanding the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
Other issues raised by ASUU include the proliferation of public universities, the non-payment of arrears of earned academic allowances and non-release of owed salaries, and “creeping fascism” in some Nigerian universities.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M