The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of eight months’ Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.
Alausa said the payment covers January to August 2026 and is being implemented in line with the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN-ASUU) Agreement.
He said all federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education had been notified to commence payment to eligible academic staff.
“This is a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing approved agreements and prioritising the welfare of education personnel,” Alausa said.
The Minister said the release of the funds was part of the government’s efforts to improve staff welfare and strengthen the tertiary education system.
“We remain committed to implementing approved agreements and interventions that will improve the welfare of our education personnel and enhance the quality of education in the country,” he said.
Alausa also disclosed that arrangements were underway for the payment of the corresponding allowance to non-academic staff in federal tertiary institutions.
According to him, funding for the non-academic staff allowance is expected to be made available within the coming weeks.
“Arrangements are already underway for the corresponding allowance for non-academic staff, and funding is expected to be made available within the coming weeks,” the Minister said.
He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving staff welfare, infrastructure and the overall quality of education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa said the Federal Government would continue to prioritise interventions that would create a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to improving staff welfare, infrastructure and the overall quality of education under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the welfare of education personnel was critical to building a stronger and more effective tertiary education system.
He said the government would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that approved agreements were effectively implemented.
The Federal Ministry of Education, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, reiterated its commitment to ensuring effective implementation of approved agreements and interventions across the education sector.
The latest release is expected to provide financial relief to eligible academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education covered by the January-August 2026 CATA payment.