In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has paid off the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) owed to university teachers for nearly two decades. This development has brought relief to academic staff across the country and demonstrates the President’s commitment to keeping promises.
A Promise Kept
According to Prince Babatunde Kolawole, Chief Media Editor of Brooom Nigeria, the payment of EAA is a testament to President Tinubu’s determination to address long-standing issues in the education sector. As a leader who inherited this debt, he has shown courage and a willingness to right past wrongs.
Student Loan Scheme
In addition to paying off the EAA, President Tinubu’s administration has also implemented a student loan scheme, providing billions of Naira in financial assistance to students in tertiary institutions. This move has brought emotional relief to students and their parents.
A Call for Further Action
While the payment of EAA and the student loan scheme are significant achievements, there is still more work to be done. University staff salaries have not been reviewed since 2009, and there is a pressing need for enhanced packages to improve the welfare of lecturers.
A Vote of Confidence
By paying off the EAA and implementing the student loan scheme, President Tinubu has won the hearts of millions of Nigerian students, their parents, and university staff. Completing the job by reviewing university staff salaries would be a significant step towards capturing the minds of these crucial constituencies.
A Message to the President
As Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, PhD, FCArb, FCIT, notes , “By every standard, President Bola Tinubu has already won the hearts of millions of Nigerian students, their parents, and university staff. All that needs to be done is for P-BAT to complete the job of ‘capturing of the minds’ of these crucial constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
