The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has denied claims by the federal government that it released N50 billion to the union as Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) to settle outstanding debts owed to its members.
In a statement on Friday, ASUU said it had not received any official communication from the government regarding the widely reported release of the funds.
A source at the University of Abuja campus in Giri, Gwagwalada, speaking anonymously to THISDAY, emphasized that ASUU’s primary demand remains the proper funding of universities and the immediate implementation of the 2009 agreement, which stipulates the release of N220 billion annually as a revitalisation fund for universities.
The source dismissed the reported N50 billion release as insufficient and unrelated to the union’s core demands.
“This amount is paltry compared to what is owed, and it is not part of the union’s current negotiations,” the source stated.
He added that ASUU’s leadership views the situation with concern and is currently reviewing the development before making an official public statement.
According to him, the union’s stance is that the government must urgently release N220 billion each year for university revitalisation and an additional N150 billion for earned allowances owed to members.
He warned that ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) would reject the N50 billion, should it be confirmed that the funds were indeed released.
The source also criticized the government for publicizing the alleged release of funds through the media without formally informing the union through the Ministry of Education.
He further accused the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, of politicizing the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement.
