Alausa warns VCs against delay in payment of CATA, CONTA, other approved allowances

…reaffirms Tinubu administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare

The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has warned Vice-Chancellors of federal universities against delays in the payment of approved staff entitlements, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

Alausa, who reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, urged university administrators to ensure that eligible employees receive their entitlements promptly, stressing that funds released for personnel costs must be used for their approved purposes.

The minister gave the warning during a meeting with vice-chancellors, where he emphasised the need for prudent financial management, transparency and accountability in the administration of public funds according to a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah.

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Alausa said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding challenges and facilitate the payment of outstanding arrears to eligible university staff.

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

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

The minister expressed concern that some eligible university employees were still experiencing delays in receiving their entitlements despite the measures taken to address the funding challenges.

He consequently urged vice-chancellors to work with relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that affected staff received their payments without further delay.

“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” Alausa said, emphasising that university managements must take responsibility for ensuring that workers receive their legitimate entitlements.

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

Alausa stressed that such changes must be properly managed to ensure that funds allocated for personnel costs were utilised in accordance with their approved purposes.

He added that the Ministry of Education would continue to engage relevant university authorities to address outstanding payment issues and strengthen accountability in the management of public resources.

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, however, urged vice-chancellors to ensure that institutional autonomy was accompanied by responsible leadership, transparency and integrity in appointments, recruitment and administration.

According to him, university managements must demonstrate accountability while working to improve teaching and learning, strengthen institutional administration and expand educational opportunities for Nigerian students.

The minister also called on vice-chancellors to sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education system, with particular emphasis on staff welfare, institutional accountability, university autonomy and the delivery of quality education.