The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has addressed recent claims by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration about the disbursement of N50 billion meant to cover outstanding earned academic allowances for university lecturers.
In an interview with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that the union has yet to receive any official documentation or evidence confirming the release of the funds. He expressed skepticism toward the government’s announcement, emphasizing that the union would not rely on public statements without proof.
“If the government truly released N50 billion to ASUU, why are other unions being mentioned? Each union negotiates separately for its members. This isn’t a joint agreement,” Osodeke said.
He dismissed the information being circulated by government officials, noting that ASUU had only been verbally informed and had not seen any official records or transfers.
“We’re aware of the claims, but until we see concrete evidence, we won’t consider it legitimate,” he said. “There has been no formal communication, no funds received—only talk.”
Earlier, Drivetvnews reported that the federal government, under President Tinubu, had approved the release of N50 billion to cover earned allowances for both academic and non-academic staff of federal universities.
The announcement came through a statement released by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education. The statement, titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority,” highlighted the government’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the statement, the disbursement reflects President Tinubu’s broader vision to transform Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy through strategic investment in education, infrastructure, and human capital.
“This is more than a financial measure—it’s a show of faith in the ability of Nigeria’s youth and the critical role played by university staff in shaping their future,” the statement read.
“By prioritizing their welfare, we are setting the stage for a future where Nigerian students receive top-quality, globally competitive education.”
It also noted that the country is currently experiencing one of its longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent years—a result of improved cooperation between the government and university staff.
