The Federal Government has disbursed ₦2.31 billion to federal universities across the country to offset outstanding arrears owed to both academic and non-academic staff.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Kamorudeen Yusuf, Personal Assistant on Special Duties to the President. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the funds were processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and that disbursement to universities would commence immediately.

According to Alausa, the payment reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to transparent reforms designed to secure staff welfare and promote financial sustainability within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

He added that the Federal Government is also concluding arrangements to release third-party deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management scheme.

The Minister further revealed that the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) will be fully integrated into university salary structures by 2026, ensuring more predictable and timely payments. Funding for the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities (NANU) project, he said, has also been sustained.

Alausa reiterated that all engagements between the government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other unions are being conducted in good faith. He stressed that any new agreements would be aligned with realistic budgetary provisions to preserve stability in the education sector.

The latest move comes shortly after ASUU suspended its two-week warning strike following renewed negotiations with government representatives.