………As education workers receive assurance of continued commitment to their welfare.
The Federal Government has released funds for the full payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, covering the period from January to August 2026.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, disclosed this shortly after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation, describing the development as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing approved agreements and prioritising the welfare of personnel in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
CATA is a financial allowance provided to academic staff to support the acquisition of essential tools and materials required for teaching, research and other academic activities.
Dr. Alausa said the payment was being implemented in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN–ASUU) Agreement, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
The Minister stated that the full eight-month CATA payment had now been released to all federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the period January to August 2026.
“All these institutions should have received notification to start paying CATA to all academic staff,” the Minister stated.
He further disclosed that arrangements were also being made for the payment of the corresponding allowance to non-academic staff, expressing optimism that the necessary funds would be made available within the next few weeks.
The Minister said the release of the eight-month CATA payment further demonstrated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff and creating an enabling environment for effective teaching, learning and research in tertiary institutions.
“This is another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to our academic and non-academic staff. President Bola Tinubu made a commitment to ensuring that the quality and welfare of our staff are prioritised. He has prioritised the welfare of our staff,” Dr. Alausa said.
The Minister stressed that the Federal Government’s education reform agenda extends beyond staff welfare, noting that the administration is also making significant investments in infrastructure across tertiary institutions, as well as in basic and postgraduate education.
“Beyond prioritising the welfare of our staff, he has also significantly invested in infrastructure at all our tertiary institutions basic and post basic education,” he stated.
According to Dr. Alausa, these interventions reflect the administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensuring that Nigerian learners have access to quality education capable of competing with global standards.
Dr. Alausa commended President Tinubu for what he described as a transformative commitment to education, particularly the administration’s sustained focus on the welfare of education personnel, infrastructure development and the implementation of reforms designed to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.
The Federal Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Dr. Alausa, reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant agencies, institutions and stakeholders to ensure the timely and effective implementation of approved interventions and agreements across the education sector.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
