Forty-eight hours after the Federal Government announced the release of ₦2.3 billion to settle arrears and backlogs owed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions, many lecturers say they have yet to receive any payment alerts.
The Ministry of Education, in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, on Wednesday, said the funds were disbursed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
According to the statement, the total amount released — ₦2.311 billion — represents Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears due to universities across the country. “Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now,” it added.
The ministry further disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, was finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
However, several lecturers who spoke with journalists on Friday expressed disappointment over the delay in payment, saying they were yet to receive their October 2025 salaries.
A lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who pleaded anonymity, said: “I can confirm that our October salaries have not been paid. We were surprised when we heard of the government’s announcement.”
Another academic at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Mr. Ederigbe Zuby, described the development as “a recurring disappointment.”
“It is now a monthly struggle. Salaries are delayed without any explanation, and we live with uncertainty,” he said.
An ASUU branch chairman at a northern federal university also confirmed that no payments had been made as of Friday. “We have not received anything — not even the October salary,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to addressing welfare issues in the tertiary education sector.
He said the government was determined to clear inherited salary backlogs and had approved the mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into staff salaries from 2026 to ensure sustainable payments.
“Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually and respectfully,” Alausa stated, adding that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the government and the unions.
The minister also disclosed that additional funds had been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities initiative, supported by new budgetary provisions.
Despite these assurances, many lecturers remain skeptical, saying that government promises have often failed to translate into action.
ASUU had recently suspended a two-week warning strike following interventions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Assembly. However, tension remains high as members await evidence of the reported payments.
