TMV hails FG over eight-month lecturers’ allowance
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TMV hails FG over eight-month lecturers’ allowance
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Tinubu Media Volunteers has commended the Federal Government for releasing funds for the payment of eight months’ accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to eligible academic staff in federal tertiary institutions.
The group said the payment, covering January to August 2026, demonstrated the government’s commitment to implementing the 2025 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, had announced on September 9 that the Federal Government had released the funds to federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. He said the affected institutions had been notified to commence payment to eligible academic staff.
Reacting to the development in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the TMV described the payment as an indication of good faith by the Federal Government.
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“We note that the payment is in line with the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria-Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement,” the group stated.
It said the implementation across federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education would provide relief to academic staff who had been awaiting the allowance.
CATA is designed to support academic staff with expenses associated with teaching, research and professional development, including academic publications, conference participation, internet access, membership of learned societies and books.
The TMV said the payment could contribute to stability in the tertiary education sector by addressing one of the issues that had historically contributed to disagreements between the Federal Government and academic unions.
“We commend the move by the Federal Government as it will guarantee stability in the academic calendar of the tertiary institutions unlike in the past when Nigerian tertiary institutions witnessed prevalent industrial actions by the academic staff,” the group said.
The Federal Government and ASUU signed a renegotiated 2025 agreement in January 2026. Among its provisions was a 40 per cent upward review of university academic staff emoluments, with the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance incorporated into the new remuneration structure.
The agreement also introduced other provisions relating to academic allowances, research support and conditions of service.
The TMV further commended the administration for what it described as regular payment of salaries and allowances to workers in tertiary institutions.
“It is also a thing of joy that since President Tinubu’s assumption of office the tertiary institutions had witnessed prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as assurance of retirement benefits for the academic and non-academic retirees,” the group said.
The organisation argued that the latest payment represented progress in addressing longstanding disagreements between the Federal Government and ASUU.
The Federal Government had earlier released funds in June for five months of accumulated CATA to eligible academic staff in federal universities, covering an earlier portion of the arrears.
The latest release subsequently covered January to August 2026 across federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The Education Ministry has also said arrangements were underway for the corresponding allowance for non-academic staff, with funding expected to be made available subsequently.
