Federal Government Disburses N50bn for Varsity Staff Allowances

The Federal Government has approved and released N50 billion to academic and non-academic unions in federal universities to settle outstanding earned allowances. This was confirmed on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, fulfilling a pledge made by President Bola Tinubu.

The development was communicated through a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority.”

According to Boriowo, this step highlights President Tinubu’s firm commitment to revamping the education sector. “It’s a clear signal of the administration’s intent to shift Nigeria from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-driven one, through targeted investment in education, infrastructure, and human capital,” she said.

Dr Alausa described the intervention as more than just a financial obligation. “It’s a reflection of the President’s deep belief in the potential of Nigerian youth and the essential role of both teaching and non-teaching staff in their development. By prioritizing their welfare, we are building a stronger foundation for quality and globally competitive education,” he said.

He also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the university unions for their continued cooperation and support, which he credited for the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in tertiary institutions.

The statement further noted that Nigeria is currently enjoying one of its longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent times—something attributed to improved government-university relations.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his stance, stating, “Our youth are the lifeblood of this country. Their future matters deeply to me and my administration. Keeping students in school is non-negotiable, and we are committed to ensuring that industrial actions in our universities become a thing of the past.”

It is worth noting that academic unions have frequently clashed with previous governments over delays in payment of allowances and other unmet agreements.