ABUJA — The Federal Government has moved to stabilize the tertiary education sector by releasing funds to cover five months of accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) owed to academic staff in federal universities.

In a directive issued on June 4, 2026, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, instructed vice-chancellors to prioritize the immediate disbursement of these funds to eligible lecturers. This move serves as a fulfillment of the FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement, reflecting a concerted effort by the administration to honor commitments aimed at maintaining industrial harmony.

Key Details of the Disbursement

  • Directives to Universities: Vice-chancellors have been ordered to ensure that all outstanding CATA payments are settled without delay.

  • Internal Revenue Reimbursement: The Ministry clarified that for universities that previously utilized Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) or other institutional sources to pay these allowances since January 2026, those specific budget heads are to be refunded immediately upon the receipt of the Federal Government’s allocation.

  • Financial Accountability: The Ministry emphasized the need for strict compliance with financial regulations, mandating that university authorities maintain meticulous documentation of all payments and subsequent reimbursements.

Addressing Long-standing Welfare Concerns

The CATA is a critical component of academic welfare, intended to facilitate professional activities such as research, academic publishing, internet access, and the procurement of necessary teaching materials. For years, the delay in these payments has been a significant point of contention in negotiations between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government.

These disputes have historically led to prolonged industrial actions, which have disrupted academic calendars across the country. By settling these arrears, the current administration aims to bolster staff morale and ensure that the academic environment remains conducive to research and scholarship.

Education stakeholders have lauded the development as a positive step toward avoiding future strikes and fostering a more stable environment for students and faculty alike. The Ministry has requested that university administrations treat the disbursement with the "highest priority and urgency," signaling a clear desire to put these outstanding obligations behind them.