ASUU Disputes Tinubu Administration’s ₦50 Billion Allowance Claim, Demands Transparency

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has firmly challenged the Nigerian government’s recent claim that it has released ₦50 billion to offset earned academic allowances (EAA) owed to federal university lecturers. The rebuttal came from ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, during an interview with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he stated that the union has yet to see any credible evidence confirming the disbursement of such funds.

While the federal government, through the Ministry of Education, announced the payment as a major intervention for the university system, ASUU has labeled it premature and lacking in substance. Osodeke emphasized that the union was only informed verbally about the alleged release and remains unconvinced until the funds are physically or electronically confirmed.

FG Releases ₦50 Billion To University Unions ASUU, NASU As Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Education

“We’ve Seen No Evidence” — ASUU Demands Proof

Professor Osodeke questioned the sincerity and specificity of the government’s announcement. “You said that the government released ₦50 billion to ASUU, but why are you bringing other staff? Every union negotiates for its members. It is not a collective,” he stated, referencing the inclusion of non-academic unions in the reported payout.

He dismissed the government’s narrative as speculative, stressing that ASUU would not be swayed by political pronouncements. “We are aware of it, but until we see evidence, we won’t believe them. We only agreed verbally. We have not seen the money,” Osodeke added.

The government’s claim was initially made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, via a press statement titled “FG Releases ₦50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority.” The statement was signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education.

The government presented the fund release as part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategic commitment to revitalize Nigeria’s education sector and shift the country toward a knowledge-based economy.

Government Framing Sparks Skepticism

According to the official statement, the disbursement of ₦50 billion was described as more than just a fiscal policy but a bold signal of the administration’s commitment to the academic sector. “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,” the Ministry’s statement read.

The Ministry further claimed that the payment was part of a broader strategy to enhance the educational experience, asserting that the welfare of university staff was being prioritized. It also highlighted that the country is experiencing one of the longest periods of uninterrupted academic activity in recent years—attributing the calm to improved relations between the government and the university system.

However, ASUU has dismissed these claims as attempts to whitewash systemic failures and bypass genuine dialogue. The union has long accused successive governments of neglecting university staff welfare and breaching several memoranda of agreement.

Historical Context and ASUU’s Stance

Earned academic allowances are entitlements that compensate academic staff for additional work beyond normal duties, such as supervision of theses and conducting research. ASUU has repeatedly cited unpaid allowances as one of the core grievances that have led to frequent strikes over the past two decades.

In 2013, the Nigerian government initiated a ₦100 billion intervention for university revitalization, yet most of these commitments have gone unfulfilled or have been inadequately implemented. ASUU believes the current claim is part of a familiar pattern of unsubstantiated promises meant to quell agitation without addressing root issues.

Osodeke reaffirmed ASUU’s position that any genuine effort by the federal government must be verifiable, inclusive of formal documentation, and carried out transparently.

“We are not asking for too much—just for the government to fulfill its promises in good faith and in line with agreements already signed,” he said.

As tensions quietly build beneath the surface, this latest standoff highlights the lingering mistrust between ASUU and the federal government—a relationship marred by years of broken promises, delayed interventions, and politicized responses.