Nigerian university staff receive only six months of arrears
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Staff at Nigerian universities say they have received only six months of arrears out of the eight announced by the federal government. At the Federal University of Lafia, the union is demanding payment of the two remaining months and unpaid allowances, while the calculation methods remain disputed, according to Sunday PUNCH.
Nigerian university employees have received the equivalent of only six months’ arrears, although the agreement concluded with the federal government in 2026 was supposed to cover eight months, according to a Sunday PUNCH investigation. Daniel Dajen, president of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities branch at the Federal University of Lafia, says that two months are still owed.
At the University of Ilorin, the local union president, Falowo Naheem, says that the sums paid relate to the consolidated allowance component for non-teaching staff, but that other allowances remain unpaid. He also denounces the exclusion of eligible staff from university health centres, notably doctors and nurses and laboratory technicians.
The situation varies between institutions. At the University of Benin, the local union president, Julius Idu, says that eight months have been paid, although nine were expected since the agreement took effect in January 2026. The claims also concern withheld salaries, accrued bonuses, salary increases and promotion arrears, reports Sunday PUNCH.
