FG Orders VCs to Clear Five-Month Academic Tools Allowance Arrears

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately clear outstanding Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) payments following the release of funds covering five months of arrears owed to eligible academic staff across the country.

The directive was contained in a circular dated June 4, 2026, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

The circular, addressed to vice-chancellors of federal universities, informed them that funds had been released in line with the provisions of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

CATA is a fixed allowance provided to lecturers to support teaching, research and professional development activities. It covers expenses such as academic publications, conference participation, internet services, membership of professional bodies and the purchase of academic materials.

The allowance forms part of the improved welfare package for university lecturers approved under the Federal Government-ASUU agreement signed on January 14, 2026. It was included in the 40 per cent upward review of academic staff emoluments.

In the circular, Alausa said the payment reflected the government’s commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement reached with the union.

“I write to inform you that the Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five (5) months Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to eligible academic staff of federal universities, in accordance with the provisions of the signed FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement, and in fulfilment of the FGN’s commitment to effective implementation of the agreement,” he stated.

The minister instructed university managements to ensure that all outstanding payments due to lecturers and other eligible academic staff were settled without delay.

He also directed institutions that had used Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) or other sources to pay the allowance since January 2026 to refund the amounts to the relevant university accounts once the federal allocation is received.

According to the circular, universities are expected to take appropriate steps to return any funds earlier advanced for the payment of the allowance and ensure proper accounting procedures are followed.

Alausa further urged university authorities to maintain accurate records of all disbursements and reimbursements while adhering strictly to existing financial regulations.

The release of the funds comes at a time when ASUU has continued to express concern over what it describes as delays in implementing other aspects of the 2025 agreement, particularly the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, recently disclosed that unpaid EAA had accumulated for about 18 months as of May 2026, warning that prolonged delays could heighten tensions between the union and government.

Unlike CATA, which is paid as a regular allowance, EAA is tied to specific academic responsibilities performed outside routine teaching duties. These include postgraduate supervision, fieldwork, industrial training supervision, external moderation and other approved assignments.

The union has repeatedly called for the full implementation of all commitments contained in the agreement, with several of its branches expressing dissatisfaction over lingering unpaid entitlements.

The latest release follows an earlier intervention by the Federal Government in October 2025 when N2.3 billion was disbursed to university-based unions as part of efforts to offset outstanding allowance obligations.