The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced on Wednesday that the Federal Government has disbursed N50 billion to academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities, fulfilling a commitment made by President Bola Tinubu.
The announcement was detailed in a statement titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority,” issued by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Boriowo described the move as a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s education sector. “It underscores the administration’s determination to shift the country from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-based one, through deliberate investment in education, infrastructure, and human capital,” she said.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the release of funds goes beyond financial support. “This is a reaffirmation of the President’s confidence in Nigerian youth and the vital contributions of academic and non-academic personnel in shaping their futures. By prioritizing staff welfare, we’re building a strong foundation for delivering quality, globally competitive education to every Nigerian child.”
The Minister also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the university unions for their continued trust in his leadership and for maintaining a stable academic environment across federal institutions.
The statement highlighted that Nigeria is currently experiencing one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted academic activity in recent memory—a milestone credited to the collaborative spirit between the government and university communities.
President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s focus on youth and education: “Our youth are the soul of our nation. Their future is my priority. Keeping them in school is non-negotiable. It is my promise that industrial actions in our universities will soon be a thing of the past.”
This development comes after years of tensions between academic unions and previous administrations over the non-payment of earned allowances and other unresolved issues.