The Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five months of accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) owed to lecturers in federal universities and directed vice-chancellors to immediately disburse the funds to eligible academic staff.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the directive in a letter to vice-chancellors, stating that the release of funds was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The minister instructed university authorities to ensure the immediate settlement of all outstanding allowance payments due to lecturers and other eligible academic personnel.
He also directed institutions that may have previously advanced funds from their internally generated revenue or other sources to pay the allowance to reimburse the affected university accounts once the federal allocation is received.
According to the directive, universities are expected to comply strictly with existing financial regulations and maintain accurate records of all payments and reimbursements made under the arrangement.
The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance is designed to support lecturers in carrying out teaching, research and other professional responsibilities by providing resources for academic materials, internet access, publications and related activities.
The payment of the allowance has been a recurring issue in negotiations between the Federal Government and ASUU, featuring prominently in discussions surrounding lecturers’ welfare, university funding and industrial relations within the education sector.
The latest release of funds is expected to provide relief to lecturers across federal universities and further strengthen efforts to maintain stability and industrial harmony in the nation’s tertiary education system.
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