The Federal Government has released funds to cover five months of outstanding Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance owed to lecturers in federal universities and has instructed vice-chancellors to immediately begin full payment to eligible staff.
A letter exclusively obtained by The Punch revealed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to ensure the prompt disbursement of the approved funds to academic staff.
The directive, dated June 4, 2026, was sent to heads of federal universities and is part of efforts to implement agreements previously reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
According to the minister, the payment follows provisions contained in the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the union.
“The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five (5) months Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to eligible academic staff of federal universities, in accordance with the provisions of the signed FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement, and in fulfilment of the FGN’s commitment to effective implementation of the Agreement,” the letter stated.
Dr Alausa further instructed university administrators to ensure immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears without delay.
“Consequently, you are requested to ensure the immediate clearance of all outstanding CATA payments due to lecturers and other eligible academic staff in your university,” the minister directed.
The circular also made provision for institutions that may have previously paid the allowance using internally generated revenue or other institutional funds.
The minister noted that such universities should be reimbursed once federal allocations are received.
“Where the university had advanced funds from its Internally Generated Revenue or any other institutional source for the payment of the allowance from January 2026, appropriate steps should be taken to refund such amounts to the relevant university accounts and budget heads upon receipt of the Federal Government allocation,” the letter added.
University authorities were also reminded to comply strictly with financial rules and ensure proper documentation of all related transactions.
“You are also requested to ensure strict compliance with extant financial regulations and maintain proper records of all payments and reimbursements effected under this arrangement,” he stated.
Dr Alausa urged vice-chancellors to handle the matter with urgency.
“Kindly accord this matter the highest priority and urgency,” the minister said.
The release is expected to provide relief to thousands of lecturers across federal universities who have long raised concerns over delays in welfare-related payments.
The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance is intended to support academic work such as research, publications, internet services, teaching materials and other essential tools required for effective scholarship and instruction.
The allowance has remained a recurring point of contention in negotiations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, often shaping broader discussions on welfare and funding in the tertiary education system.
Over the years, disagreements over earned allowances, revitalisation funding, salary structure and working conditions have frequently triggered industrial actions that disrupted academic calendars nationwide.
In 2025, the Federal Government and ASUU reached a renewed agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and promoting stability in public universities.
Education stakeholders have consistently stressed that timely payment of allowances and faithful implementation of agreements are critical to boosting staff morale, enhancing research output and improving the overall quality of higher education in the country.
The latest disbursement is therefore viewed as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial harmony in the university system and prevent avoidable disruptions to the academic calendar.
