The Federal Government has released N50 billion from the N200 billion Needs Assessment Fund, as part of its recent agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa stated that an additional N50 billion would be disbursed soon, bringing the total allocation to N100 billion.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola, urged the government to extend the recently approved academic allowances to emeritus professors, calling it essential for sustaining research excellence and mentorship in Nigerian universities.
Alausa said the education ministry plans to meet with the leadership of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to determine how the funds will be utilized.
The NAF is part of the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, which remained unresolved for over a decade.
Originally due for renegotiation in 2013, the agreement was finally concluded on December 23, 2025, and officially unveiled on January 14.
The minister noted that implementation of the renegotiated 2025 agreement began immediately after signing.
“This is not about showmanship or grandstanding. The implementation circular was issued before the end of December,” he said, adding that the agreement has helped stabilise the university system, with federal universities not experiencing any strikes in the last two academic sessions.
Alausa also disclosed that the ministry has established a labour and union activities unit to ensure proper implementation of agreements reached with workers’ unions.
On the matter of unpaid salaries from the 2022 ASUU strike, he said President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of half of the eight-month arrears, a commitment that has already been fulfilled.
Speaking to The Guardian in Ibadan, Oyo State, Ayoola highlighted the need to support emeritus professors, expressing concern over the neglect of highly experienced scholars who continue to contribute to academic development post-retirement.
According to him, emeritus professors are senior academics who retire after spending between 15 and 20 years at the professorial level, yet remain actively involved in research, supervision, and intellectual engagement.
“Emeritus professors are appointed without pay, yet they continue to serve the university system diligently. They remain active in research and mentorship, but they are often left without any form of financial backing.
“The government should extend the recent allowances approved for scholars in service to them,” Ayoola added.
