FG releases ₦50bn to varsity unions, reaffirms commitment to education

By Kunle Sanni

The federal government has released ₦50 billion for the payment of earned allowances to academic and non-academic staff of federal universities.

The development was announced by the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, on Tuesday.

The funds are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and fulfill a promise made to university unions. According to the Minister, the disbursement underscores the administration’s commitment to making education a central pillar of national development.

“This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them,” Dr. Alausa said.

The Minister commended university unions for maintaining industrial peace, noting that the country is currently enjoying one of the longest uninterrupted academic calendars in recent times. He attributed this stability to improved government-labour relations and ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders in the education sector.

President Tinubu, in a statement conveyed by the Ministry, emphasized his dedication to ending strikes in tertiary institutions, declaring that “keeping our children in school is not negotiable.”

“The youth are the heartbeat of our country,” the President said. “Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. It is my commitment that strikes in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past—forever.”

The Education Ministry pledged to continue engaging stakeholders at all levels to ensure Nigerian students receive a globally competitive education. Officials described the ₦50 billion release as a critical step toward transforming Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy.