The Federal Government has met 100 per cent of the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
Alausa made the statement during an interview on Channels Television, where he highlighted improvements in university rankings, increased education funding and greater stability in the academic calendar under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister said the number of Nigerian universities featured in global rankings had increased from 14 to 29, with nine additional institutions entering the global top 1,200 within three years.
FG Links Stable Academic Calendar to Economic Gains
Alausa said improved stability in tertiary institutions had contributed more than ₦500 billion to the Nigerian economy.
According to him, students can now complete their academic sessions without the prolonged disruptions that previously resulted from industrial disputes.
He presented the development as evidence of progress in efforts to strengthen the university system and maintain uninterrupted academic activities.
NELFUND Disburses Nearly ₦370bn to Students
The education minister also disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed nearly ₦370 billion.
He said approximately ₦192 billion of the amount went towards student stipends, with beneficiaries receiving about ₦25,000 each.
According to Alausa, some students have used part of their stipends to support their families.
FG Injects Additional ₦100bn Into Technical Education
On technical and vocational education, Alausa said the Federal Government had provided an additional ₦100 billion to strengthen skills development and equip young Nigerians with practical competencies.
He said the intervention was part of efforts to improve technical training and prepare young people for employment and other economic opportunities.
Tertiary Support Fund Offers Workers Up to ₦10m
The minister also highlighted a Tertiary Support Fund providing eligible academic and non-academic university staff with interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million.
According to him, the loans are intended to support needs such as housing, healthcare, small businesses and other personal expenses.
Alausa disclosed that about ₦30 billion had been provided under the scheme, benefiting more than 15,000 university workers.
He maintained that the various interventions were designed to improve staff welfare, strengthen tertiary institutions and ensure more stable academic activities across Nigerian universities.
