calls for immediate release of revitalization fund, AEA, others

wants Tinubu to order AG to release approved funds

Due to the Federal government’s persistent failure to honor agreements over the release of the University revitalization fund, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might have set a dateline of March ending within which it will call for a full-scale industrial action if the funds for the Universities revitalization project are not released.

The ultimatum may have become necessary following the discovery by the top echelon of the union that the government was playing politics with them over the release of over 200 Billion already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the university revitalization scheme and Academic Earned Allowance, as well as other entitlements owed the body by the government.

A highly dependable source within ASUU, who spoke to our Correspondent under anonymity condition because he is not permitted to speak on behalf of the body, disclosed that the leadership of the union is deeply worried that despite its huge sacrifices and cooperation shown to the present Administration, the federal government has continued to play ‘hanky panky ‘with them over funding of universities, particularly, in implementing existing agreements.

According to the source, the union is mostly pained that despite its resolve to guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar at the citadel of learning, the government is busy playing politics with them.

The source revealed that the union is tired of attending meetings with the Minister of Education where all negotiations and resolutions are not implemented.

It was also gathered that the government and ASUU team had recently reached a compromise where the sun of 150 billion naira was to be released as a revitalization fund,50 billion as Academic Earned Allowance, and another 30 billion respectively; again, the government reneged as monies are yet to be released as agreed.

The source further disclosed that the union resolved not to attend any meeting with the officials of the government unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Accountable General of the Federation to make the funds available.
“Look let me tell you, what ASUU wants is the immediate release of revitalization fund as well as AEA and all other of entitlement owed them by the government”

It was also learned that the union believes that both the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, are hiding certain facts from the President and are not telling the President the truth as it concerns public university education.

The reliable source noted that the only way to avert stile action by the body is for the president to intervene and order for the immediate release of the funds to the institutions and also honor agreements entered into with the union.

It was also gathered that the OAGF is frustrating all attempts geared towards releasing the fund.

According to the source, officials of the Accountant General’s office insist on fresh presidential approval to release funds to the universities across the country.

The highly dependable source revealed that at a recent meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa the AG, and the President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as well as other officials of the government it was agreed that the N 300 Billion captured in the 2023 appropriation Act but was not released be rolled – over to this year.

It was gathered that a letter signed by the Minister of Education and addressed to the Accountant General requesting that the money be rolled over to 2025 has already been dispatched.

The Union was said to be represented at the meeting by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who complained bitterly over the lack of political will by successive governments on the problem of the death of infrastructure and the welfare of members of the University community, including the knotty challenge of Earn allowance for members.

ASUU is also angered that the refusal of the government to release the university revitalization fund is gradually killing public universities, adding that infrastructure that could aid teaching and learning has become an eyesore in almost all the universities in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in 2009 reached an agreement with ASUU for the provision of 1.3 trillion on annual tranches of N220 billion over a period of 5 years as intervention funds for the revitalization of universities.

A review of the agreement was done in 2014. However, it is yet to be implemented, resulting in several industrial actions by ASUU, which distorts the academic calendar in the ivory tower.

Investigation revealed that efforts by the Federal Ministry of Education to prevent the strike action under the Tinubu-led government will might become history, if the Accountant General of the Federation keeps creating conditions that make the implementation of the agreements difficult, thereby, hampering the release of the University revitalization fund which was done based on needs assessments of the public universities.

Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says the scheme will begin paying N77,000 to corps members as an allowance in March 2025.

The brigadier general spoke at the NYSC zonal offices in Wuse and Garki, Abuja on Thursday.

Nafiu said the scheme prioritises the welfare of corps members.

He urged them to remain disciplined and dedicated to national service.

The brigadier emphasised the NYSC’s role in fostering national unity and cultural integration.

He pledged that the management would continue to uphold values of patriotism, leadership, and teamwork among corps members.

“NYSC is good at record-keeping. I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you,” Nafiu said.

Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu assumed office as the 23rd DG of the NYSC on March 6, 2025, succeeding Yusha’u Ahmed.

After taking over office, he pledged to address pending concerns around corps member welfare.

Corps members receive a monthly stipend from the federal government to support their basic needs during the service year.

The allowance has been periodically reviewed in response to economic realities, with the last significant increase occurring in 2020 when it was raised to N33,000 following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The latest increment to N77,000 aligns with the recent adjustment of the national minimum wage.

… Bishop Kukah is pro-chancellor

… Tinubu appoints varsity’s principal officers

Prof Williams Barnabas Qurix has emerged as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.

President Bola Tinubu made the appointment on Monday, appointing Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

In a statement issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, he said he appointed the university’s principal officers, including Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Gambo Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as bursar, and Prof Daniel Abubakar as university Librarian, because of their track records.

President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Thomas Etuh, representing the North Central, Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East), Prof Femi Taiwo (South West) and Zarah Bukar (North East) as members of the university’s Governing Council.

All the appointees were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.

President Tinubu implored them to use their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu urged the newly appointed officers to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.

The Federal University of Applied Sciences was formerly known as Nok University. It was renamed after the federal government took over its assets.