ASUU Strike Hindering Bursary Payment to Tertiary Education Students
The Federal Ministry of Education stated on Monday that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities has hampered the payment of bursaries to university students.
Andrew Adejo, the ministry’s permanent secretary, announced this during the 2026 World Teachers Day press conference in Abuja.
In 2021, MySchoolGist reported that Buhari promised to provide bursaries to students studying education in universities and colleges of education.
“B.Ed/B.A. Ed/BSc. Ed students in public institutions will receive stipends of N75,000.00 per semester, while NCE students will receive stipends of N50,000.00 per semester.”
“The Federal Government should find a way for respective state governments to provide automatic employment for NCE graduates at the Basic Education level,” Buhari said through his education minister, Adamu Adamu.
Adejo stated in his statement, “The implementation of the payment of stipends has begun.” However, due to the strike, we were unable to obtain data on all university students. We only have 7% of the necessary data to process for payment.
“It is necessary to state here that the national implementation of the New National Teaching Policy has begun.” It is a comprehensive package that will eventually address the career path, remuneration, professional teaching standards, teacher qualification, deployment, and management.
“The theme for the year 2026 WTD, ‘the transformation of education, begins with teachers,’ emphasizes the importance of empowering teachers for effective transformation of education to ensure quality teaching and learning, as well as galvanize technological advancements to meet the ever-changing needs for national growth and development.”
Related Article: ASUU Opposes Education Loan, Demands Withheld Salaries
ASUU Strike Hindering Bursary Payment to Tertiary Education Students: FAQs
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike has continued to affect several aspects of tertiary education in Nigeria, including academic activities, administrative processes, and some student support programmes. Since many bursary schemes require verification and coordination with institutions, prolonged disruptions in universities can delay the processing and payment of funds meant for students.
How is the ASUU strike affecting bursary payments to tertiary students?
The ASUU strike can delay bursary payments because many institutions depend on active administrative operations, student verification, documentation, and approval processes before funds are released. When academic activities and some university operations are disrupted, the processing of bursary applications may slow down.
Are all tertiary education students affected by the delay in bursary payment?
No. The impact depends on the bursary scheme, institution, and the stage of processing. Some students may receive payments if their applications have already been approved and verified, while others may experience delays due to pending institutional procedures.
Can students still apply for bursaries during the ASUU strike?
Yes, students may still be able to apply if the bursary provider keeps the application portal open. However, applicants should regularly check official announcements from their school, state government, or bursary administrators for updates on deadlines, verification, and payment schedules.
What should students do while waiting for bursary payments?
Students should ensure that their documents are complete, keep copies of application materials, monitor official communication channels, and contact the relevant bursary office for updates. They should also avoid relying on unofficial sources for payment information.
Will bursary payments resume after the ASUU strike is resolved?
In most cases, bursary processing is expected to improve once normal university operations resume. However, the actual payment timeline depends on the bursary authority, available funds, verification processes, and administrative approvals. Previous ASUU-related disruptions have shown that prolonged strikes can affect students beyond classroom activities.
