A shortfall in allocations to federal government-owned universities, polytechnics and colleges of education has delayed the payment of February salaries to lecturers and other workers across the institutions.
Checks by journalists over the weekend indicated that some workers had received payment alerts by Friday night, while many others were still awaiting their salaries.
A lecturer at the University of Jos said the delay was attributed to reduced funds released to the institution.
“Good morning dear brother. There was a reported shortfall in the amount released to the university. However, payment started yesterday and I got an alert for mine today,” the lecturer said.
At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a lecturer also confirmed that staff members began receiving payment alerts late on Friday.
“We would not know why the payment was delayed, but we started receiving alerts on Friday night. January salary was delayed due to adjustments for new salary rates, but this delay is something else,” he said.
Similarly, a national officer of the Congress of University Academics at the Obafemi Awolowo University said he had yet to receive his February salary as of Saturday.
“I have not received my February salary as we speak. I will have to confirm if others have been paid,” he said.
At the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, some workers also reported receiving salary alerts late on Friday.
Reacting to the development, the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, assured that the issue would soon be resolved.
Boriowo said the Federal Government remained committed to paying workers’ salaries and described the delay as temporary.
“The government will not owe any worker his or her salary. There must be some reasons for the slight delay. Since payment started on Friday night, others would probably receive their salaries early in the week,” she said.
