The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors to immediately pay outstanding Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance arrears.
The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five months’ accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) owed to lecturers in federal universities across Nigeria.
The directive was conveyed in a circular issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to vice-chancellors of federal universities, instructing them to ensure immediate disbursement of all outstanding payments to eligible academic staff.
According to the circular, the release forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the 2025 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The allowance had become a major component of the revised remuneration package for lecturers following negotiations between both parties.
The minister also directed universities that had previously advanced payments using internally generated revenue or other institutional funds to take steps toward refunding such amounts once the federal allocation is received.
The development comes amid concerns previously raised by ASUU over delays in implementing aspects of the agreement signed with the government earlier in the year.
Officials were further instructed to maintain proper financial records and comply strictly with existing regulations in the management of the released funds.