Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of eight months’ Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation, saying the payment covers January to August 2026.
The allowance is intended to support lecturers with the purchase of teaching, research and other academic tools required for effective service delivery.
Alausa said the payment fulfills the Federal Government’s commitment under the 2025 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN-ASUU) agreement.
“The full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education,” he said.
According to the minister, institutions have already been notified to commence payment to eligible academic staff.
He, however, noted that payment to non-academic staff is still being processed and is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Alausa described the development as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and promoting industrial harmony in the tertiary education sector.
Beyond staff welfare, he said the administration continues to invest in infrastructure, research and learning facilities across tertiary institutions, while also strengthening basic and postgraduate education.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing Nigerian students with quality education that meets global standards.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 
