…Reaffirms Tinubu Administration’s Commitment to Workers’ Welfare and University Autonomy

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has urged Vice Chancellors of federal universities to ensure the timely payment of eligible 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, where he reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, financial accountability and the autonomy of federal universities.

The Minister expressed concern over reports of continued delays in the payment of entitlements to eligible university staff despite government interventions to address funding challenges and settle outstanding arrears.

He explained that the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to facilitate the release of funds and resolve issues affecting the payment of the entitlements.

According to him, while some universities made payments in January, others subsequently experienced financial difficulties as their available reserves declined.

He said government intervention had helped address outstanding funding issues, with arrears reportedly paid up to September.

However, the Minister urged university administrators to work closely with relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that all eligible employees receive their legitimate entitlements without unnecessary delays.

“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” Alausa said, stressing that workers should not be denied their entitlements because of avoidable administrative bottlenecks or poor financial management.

He further explained that personnel allocations were based on approved wage bills and disbursed monthly, while changes in staff strength resulting from retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.

The Minister consequently charged university managements to ensure that funds allocated for personnel costs were used strictly for their approved purposes.

He emphasised that Vice Chancellors had a responsibility to demonstrate prudent financial management, transparency and accountability in the administration of public funds.

Alausa added that the Ministry would continue engaging university authorities to resolve outstanding payment issues and strengthen accountability in the management of public resources in line with existing laws and regulations.

On university autonomy, the Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing universities to manage their internal affairs within the framework of applicable laws and regulations.

He urged Vice Chancellors to uphold transparency, integrity and accountability in institutional appointments, recruitment and administration.

According to him, university autonomy must be accompanied by responsible leadership and a commitment to improving teaching and learning, strengthening institutional administration and expanding educational opportunities for Nigerian students.

He called on university heads to sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.

Alausa reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration would continue to engage stakeholders and pursue measures to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education system, with particular emphasis on workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, university autonomy and the delivery of quality education.