The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, has urged Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to ensure the timely payment of eligible staff entitlements under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The Minister made the call during a meeting with Vice Chancellors, where he stressed the need for university management to fulfil their responsibilities to staff while ensuring the prudent and transparent use of public funds allocated for personnel costs.
Dr Alausa said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding challenges and help settle outstanding arrears.
He explained that although some universities made payments in January, several later faced financial constraints as their reserves declined, noting that the government helped address outstanding funding issues, with arrears reportedly paid up to September.
The Minister, however, expressed concern over reports of continued delays in payments to eligible university staff despite measures taken to address the funding challenges. He urged Vice-Chancellors to work with the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that affected employees receive their entitlements.
He explained that personnel allocations were based on approved wage bills and disbursed monthly, while changes in staff strength arising from retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.
Dr Alausa emphasised that funds allocated for personnel costs must be applied to their approved purposes, stressing that university management had a responsibility to demonstrate prudent financial management, transparency and accountability in the administration of public resources.
“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” the Minister said, underscoring the importance of ensuring that workers receive their legitimate entitlements without avoidable administrative or financial management delays.
He added that the Ministry would continue to engage relevant university authorities to address outstanding payment issues and promote accountability in the management of public funds in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
On university autonomy, Dr Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing universities to manage their internal affairs within the framework of applicable laws and regulations. He urged Vice-Chancellors to uphold transparency, integrity and accountability in institutional appointments, recruitment and administration.
The Minister noted that autonomy must be accompanied by responsible leadership and a commitment to improving teaching and learning, strengthening institutional administration and expanding educational opportunities for Nigerian students.
He called on Vice-Chancellors to sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to minimise avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
Dr Alausa reaffirmed that the Federal Government would continue to engage stakeholders and pursue measures to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education system, with emphasis on workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, university autonomy and the delivery of quality education.
