# Nigeria tertiary education funding and governance crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-tertiary-education-funding-and-governance-crisis > Updated: 2026-08-17T21:53:06.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. Nigeria’s tertiary education sector has faced a long-standing crisis rooted in governance issues and the failure of the federal government to honor agreements with academic staff. Since the 1970s and 1980s, challenges such as underfunding and non-payment of salaries have persisted, with significant tension surrounding the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). In response to these systemic issues and ongoing strikes, some state governments have taken independent action to support higher education. In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved a 60 per cent increase in monthly subventions for state-owned tertiary institutions to ensure prompt salary payments and improve learning environments. Similarly, in Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah approved an additional N115 million monthly subvention for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to address salary obligations and maintain academic services amidst the ASUU strike. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Nigerian governors increase funding for state tertiary institutions Governors in Ondo and Enugu states have increased monthly funding for state-owned tertiary institutions to improve staff welfare and resolve academic union strikes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-governors-increase-funding-for-state-tertiary-institutions ### 2026-08-15: Nigeria faces ongoing crisis in tertiary education sector Nigeria’s tertiary education sector faces a deep-seated political crisis driven by chronic underfunding and the government's repeated failure to honor agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-faces-ongoing-crisis-in-tertiary-education-sector --- Cite as: Nigeria tertiary education funding and governance crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-tertiary-education-funding-and-governance-crisis