Favour Ishember, Abuja
The Federal Government has directed Vice Chancellors of Federal universities to prioritise the immediate settlement of eligible staff entitlements under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), stressing that workers’ welfare remains a key priority of President Bola. Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa gave the directive during a meeting with Vice Chancellors of federal universities, where he charged university authorities to uphold their responsibilities to employees while ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of personnel funds.
Alausa expressed concern over reports that some eligible university workers were still being denied their legitimate entitlements despite government efforts to resolve funding challenges, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” the Minister said, insisting that no administrative or financial management issues should prevent workers from receiving payments due to them.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers and strengthening the nation’s university system, adding that the Federal Government had engaged relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, to tackle funding gaps and clear outstanding arrears.
According to him, while some universities commenced payment of the allowances in January, others later faced financial difficulties as their reserves reduced. He noted that government intervention helped to resolve the challenges, with outstanding payments reportedly cleared up to September.
The Minister, however, urged Vice Chancellors to collaborate with relevant authorities to address any remaining cases and ensure that affected staff members receive their full entitlements without further delays.
He explained that personnel funding allocations were determined based on approved wage bills and released monthly, adding that fluctuations in staff numbers caused by retirement, attrition and other factors could influence actual personnel expenses.
Alausa warned that funds earmarked for personnel expenditure must be used strictly for their intended purposes, noting that university managements must demonstrate sound financial discipline, accountability and responsible leadership in handling public resources.
He stressed that the Federal Government would continue to monitor compliance and engage university authorities to resolve outstanding payment matters in line with existing laws and regulations.
On university autonomy, the Minister reiterated government’s commitment to allowing institutions manage their internal affairs within the limits of the law, while urging Vice Chancellors to maintain integrity and transparency in appointments, recruitment processes and general administration.
He noted that autonomy must come with accountability and effective leadership focused on improving teaching standards, strengthening institutional governance and expanding access to quality education for Nigerian students.
Alausa further called on university administrators to maintain constructive relationships with government and other stakeholders, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to prevent disruptions to academic activities.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to implement measures aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s higher education sector, with emphasis on workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, university independence and improved learning outcomes.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
