Tinubu Government Directs Universities to Fund Allowances

The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has issued a directive to public universities to finance lecturers' allowances through their internal revenue generation (IGR) starting January 2026. This move, revealed in a leaked memo from the Federal Ministry of Education, has raised concerns about potential tuition increases nationwide.

The memo, dated May 18, 2026, and signed by Hanien N. Ayuka, the bursar of Modibbo Adama University in Yola, indicates that universities are already implementing this funding strategy due to the federal government's inability to provide necessary financial backing.

Consequently, universities may suspend payments of statutory allowances until federal support is restored, which could lead to increased tuition fees in the next academic session. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed frustration over the government's neglect of public universities, warning that this situation could trigger industrial action and worsen the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.