The Federal Government is set to release N85.38 billion for the implementation of a reviewed remuneration package for academic staff of federal polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
The proposed release was contained in a letter from the Budget Office of the Federation to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, seeking approval for the immediate disbursement of the funds.
According to the document dated June 16, 2026, the sum of N85,375,777,808 will cover the implementation of the salary adjustment for the period of January to December 2026.
The Director-General of the Budget Office, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, stated that the expenditure would be funded from the Minimum Wage and Salary Related Adjustments component of the 2026 Service Wide Vote.
“In view of this, I most respectfully request the Honourable Minister’s kind approval for release of the sum of N85,375,777,808,” the letter stated.
The Budget Office explained that the request followed the issuance of implementation circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
The circulars directed the immediate implementation of the reviewed remuneration package for lecturers in federal polytechnics and colleges of education with effect from Jan. 1, 2026.
The office recalled that the Federal Government had earlier approved and commenced arrangements for the implementation and funding of a revised remuneration package for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following negotiations with the union.
It noted that implementation arrangements for academic staff in polytechnics and colleges of education had been pending but could now proceed following the issuance of the required directives.
The Budget Office said it had completed the computation of the financial implications of the salary review and determined the additional funding required for affected institutions and agencies.
Beneficiaries of the funding include federal institutions under the ministries of Education, Agriculture and Food Security, Environment, Marine and Blue Economy, Water Resources and Sanitation, Science and Technology, Housing and Urban Development, and Livestock Development.
The government, however, indicated that additional financial obligations may arise in the tertiary education sector as negotiations with non-academic staff unions are yet to be concluded.
According to the letter, ongoing discussions between the Federal Government and non-academic staff unions in tertiary institutions are expected to result in further financial commitments by government upon conclusion.
Yakubu urged the finance minister to approve the release of the funds to enable the immediate implementation of the remuneration package for lecturers in federal polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
