The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to ensure timely payment of staff entitlements under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Alausa made the call during a meeting with Vice Chancellors, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu's commitment to workers' welfare, accountability in personnel funding and respect for university autonomy.
The Minister said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding challenges and facilitate settlement of outstanding arrears.
He explained that although some universities made payments in January, several later faced financial constraints as their reserves declined. Government intervention, he said, helped address the issues, with arrears reportedly paid up to September.
Alausa, in a statement by Attah Ikharo, Special Adviser on Media and Communications, expressed concern over reports of continued delays in payments to eligible staff despite interventions.
He said personnel allocations are based on approved wage bills and disbursed monthly, while changes in staff strength due to retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.
He stressed that funds allocated for personnel costs must be applied to their approved purposes.
"It is not right. It is not acceptable," the Minister said, underscoring the need for workers to receive legitimate entitlements without avoidable administrative or financial management delays.
He said the Ministry would continue to engage relevant university authorities to resolve outstanding payment issues and promote accountability in line with applicable laws and regulations.
On university autonomy, Alausa reiterated FG's commitment to allowing universities manage internal affairs within the law, urging Vice Chancellors to uphold transparency, integrity and accountability in appointments, recruitment and administration.
He noted that autonomy must come with responsible leadership, commitment to improving teaching and learning, strengthening administration and expanding opportunities for Nigerian students.
He called on VCs to sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to minimise avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
Alausa reaffirmed that government will continue to pursue measures to strengthen higher education with emphasis on workers' welfare, institutional accountability, autonomy and quality education.