President Tinubu,
The Federal Government has approved an additional N30 billion intervention fund to be disbursed to 74 federal universities between 2026 and 2028, as university-based unions intensify calls for the full implementation of existing agreements in the education sector.
The fund, tagged the Stabilisation and Restoration Fund, is part of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
It will be released in three equal instalments of N10 billion annually and administered by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Beyond the intervention fund, the government has also indicated plans to gradually raise budgetary allocation to the education sector to 15 per cent, in line with recommendations by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
According to provisions of the agreement, the fund is intended to address critical infrastructure deficits, improve teaching and learning facilities, and strengthen research capacity across federal universities.
Education experts have, however, stressed that transparency, accountability and sustained funding will be crucial to achieving meaningful impact.
The agreement further recommends a progressive annual increase of 2.5 per cent in education spending until the 15 per cent benchmark is attained, the allocation of 50 per cent of the sector’s capital budget to universities, and the retention of the current policy of non-payment of undergraduate tuition fees.
Despite UNESCO’s benchmark of 15 to 20 per cent of public expenditure on education, Nigeria has consistently fallen short.
Government data show that education funding has fluctuated significantly since 1999, peaking at 13 per cent in 2008 and dipping as low as 1.69 per cent in 2011.
Although N3.52 trillion was earmarked for education in the proposed N58.47 trillion 2026 budget, analysts argue that the allocation, which represents just over six per cent of total spending, remains inadequate to address decades of underfunding.
Reacting to the development, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) distanced itself from the FG–ASUU agreement, urging the government to fast-track inclusive negotiations with all recognised university unions.
CONUA National President, Dr ‘Niyi Sunmonu, reaffirmed the union’s legal and independent status, citing recognition by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and international labour conventions.
He rejected suggestions that the union would be absorbed into another academic body, stressing the need for broader stakeholder engagement to achieve lasting stability in the university system.
While acknowledging the conclusion of negotiations between the Federal Government and ASUU, Sunmonu described the deal as part of the unresolved 2009 agreement, adding that meaningful reform would require sustained dialogue with all university unions and stakeholders.
