The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five months’ accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) owed to eligible academic staff in federal universities across the country.
The development was communicated in a letter dated June 4, 2026, from the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to vice-chancellors of federal universities.
According to the minister, the release of the funds is in line with the provisions of the 2025 agreement signed between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and reflects the government’s commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement.
Alausa directed vice-chancellors to ensure the immediate payment of all outstanding CATA arrears to lecturers and other eligible academic staff in their institutions.
The minister also instructed universities that had previously used internally generated revenue (IGR) or other institutional funds to pay the allowance from January 2026 to reimburse those accounts once the federal allocation is received.
He further emphasized the need for strict adherence to existing financial regulations and proper documentation of all payments and reimbursements made under the arrangement.
The move is expected to ease concerns among university lecturers over delayed allowances and strengthen the implementation of agreements reached between the Federal Government and ASUU.
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