Alausa urges VCs to pay CATA, CONTA, CONMESS, warns against delays
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has urged Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to ensure the timely payment of eligible staff entitlements under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Speaking at a meeting with vice chancellors, he said university managements must meet their obligations to staff while ensuring the prudent and transparent use of public funds allocated for personnel costs. The call, he said, reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare, accountability in personnel funding and respect for university autonomy.
Dr Alausa said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding challenges and settle outstanding arrears. Some universities made payments in January, he explained, but several later ran into financial constraints as their reserves declined. Government intervention helped resolve the funding issues, with arrears reportedly paid up to September.
The Minister nonetheless expressed concern over reports of continued delays in paying eligible staff despite these measures. He urged Vice-Chancellors to work with the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that affected employees receive their entitlements.
He explained that personnel allocations are based on approved wage bills and disbursed monthly, while changes in staff strength from retirements, attrition and other circumstances can affect actual personnel spending. Funds allocated for personnel costs, he stressed, must be used for their approved purposes, and university managements are obliged to demonstrate prudent financial management, transparency and accountability.
“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” the Minister said, adding that workers must receive their legitimate entitlements without avoidable administrative or financial management delays. He said the Ministry would continue to engage university authorities on outstanding payments and promote accountability in the management of public funds, in line with applicable laws and regulations.
On university autonomy, Dr Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing universities to manage their internal affairs within the framework of the law. He urged Vice-Chancellors to uphold transparency, integrity and accountability in appointments, recruitment and administration.
Autonomy, he noted, must go hand in hand with responsible leadership and a commitment to improving teaching and learning, strengthening institutional administration and expanding opportunities for Nigerian students.
He called on Vice-Chancellors to sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to minimise avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
Dr Alausa said the Federal Government would continue to engage stakeholders and pursue measures to strengthen the higher education system, with emphasis on workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, university autonomy and quality education.