The federal government has directed all federal universities across the country to submit comprehensive records of outstanding financial obligations owed to academic and non-academic staff, including promotion arrears, unpaid salaries, third-party deductions, and pension arrears.
The directive was issued by the Federal Ministry of Education through a memo signed by the Deputy Director (Universities), J.N. Akpa, and circulated via the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The memo specifies: “I am directed to convey the HME’s directive that all vice chancellors of federal universities are requested to supply the following information: the outstanding promotion arrears, salaries and third-party deductions and pension arrears figures.”
It further stated that the information was required to “furnish the Nigerian University Pension Management Company with the necessary details to facilitate payments.”
According to the ministry, the data being requested will form the basis for processing and clearing outstanding payments to staff. The Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO) has been designated to coordinate the verification and settlement process. Universities are required to submit both hard and soft copies of the requested information to the NUC without delay.
This move follows the announcement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, that the federal government has released N2.3 billion for the payment of outstanding promotion arrears owed to university lecturers. The fund represents Batch 8 of salary and promotion arrears already processed by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, according to the ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.
Dr. Alausa explained that the government’s latest action aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to addressing welfare challenges in the education sector in a transparent and sustainable manner.
He added that the Federal Government is also in the final stages of releasing withheld third-party deductions and pension remittances, with payment expected to commence soon.
To prevent future delays in remuneration, the minister announced that the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) will be fully incorporated into university staff salaries beginning in 2026. He further disclosed that additional funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities project to enhance infrastructure, research, and teaching facilities.
The directive comes shortly after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its two-week warning strike, following the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Assembly.
While ASUU has acknowledged the government’s latest efforts, the union continues to press for the resolution of other outstanding issues, including the payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation funds, implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, and full settlement of promotion arrears and cooperative deductions.
