The Federal Government has approved and disbursed funds for the payment of five months of outstanding Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) owed to eligible academic staff in federal universities, in fulfillment of part of the agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2025.
The move comes amid growing concerns from ASUU over delays in the implementation of commitments contained in the agreement signed earlier this year. The union had recently expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation and warned of possible industrial action if the government failed to meet its obligations.
In a letter dated June 4 and addressed to vice-chancellors of federal universities, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed the release of the funds. The letter, referenced FME/IS/UNI/C.98/Vol.2/14, stated that the payment was made in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
According to the minister, the release of the funds reflects the government’s commitment to honoring the agreement and improving the welfare of academic staff in federal universities across the country.
Alausa directed all vice-chancellors to ensure the immediate disbursement of the outstanding allowance to lecturers and other eligible academic personnel within their institutions.
He also instructed universities that had previously used their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) or other institutional funds to cover the allowance from January 2026 to reimburse those accounts once the federal allocation is received.
The minister further stressed the importance of complying with existing financial regulations and maintaining proper records of all payments and refunds processed under the arrangement.
The payment is expected to ease tensions between the Federal Government and ASUU as stakeholders continue to track the implementation of other provisions of the agreement aimed at enhancing the quality and conditions of Nigeria’s university education system.
