Following a series of strikes and protests that led to the suspension of lectures and the temporary closure of tertiary institutions, the Federal Government has announced the release of 50 billion naira to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university staff.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo. She described the move as a testament to President Tinubu’s appreciation for the academic community and his commitment to improving Nigeria’s education sector.
In her statement, Boriowo praised the president’s boldness and said: “This is yet another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector. “It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital. 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.”
She added, “By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives high-quality and globally competitive education.” The funds will be distributed to both academic and non-academic staff and are intended to settle years of unpaid wages.
President Tinubu expressed heartfelt gratitude to tertiary institution staff for their trust in his administration and for fostering cooperation across the nation’s institutions. He also praised their invaluable role in nurturing the youth. “The youth are the heartbeat of our country. Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. Keeping our children in school is not negotiable. It is my commitment that strikes in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past, forever.”
Nigerian universities are currently experiencing the longest uninterrupted academic session in history, thanks to ongoing collaboration and mutual understanding between the government and the academic community. The release of these funds marks a bold step by the Federal Government to show support for the university system and reinforce the nation’s move towards a knowledge-based economy.
