The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has warned Vice Chancellors of federal universities against delaying the payment of approved staff entitlements, insisting that eligible employees must receive their allowances promptly and that funds released for personnel costs must be used strictly for their designated purposes.
The minister specifically urged university managements to ensure the timely payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, CONTA, and entitlements under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare and accountability in public expenditure.
Alausa, who spoke during a meeting with Vice Chancellors, expressed concern that some eligible university employees were still awaiting their entitlements despite government interventions to address funding challenges and clear outstanding arrears.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to facilitate the settlement of outstanding payments.
He explained that although some universities commenced payments in January, others subsequently encountered financial difficulties as their available reserves dwindled.
Government intervention, he said, had helped resolve outstanding funding issues, with arrears reportedly settled up to September.
The minister, however, expressed dissatisfaction with continued delays in some institutions, urging Vice Chancellors to work with relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that affected employees receive their legitimate entitlements without further delay.
“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” Alausa said, stressing that university managements must take responsibility for the timely payment of staff entitlements and the transparent administration of public funds.
He explained that personnel allocations were based on approved wage bills and released monthly, noting that changes in staff strength arising from retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.
Alausa consequently emphasised the need for prudent financial management, transparency and accountability, insisting that funds allocated for personnel costs must be applied to their approved purposes.
He added that the Ministry of Education would continue to engage university authorities to address outstanding payment issues and strengthen accountability in the management of public resources.
On university autonomy, the minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing institutions to manage their internal affairs within the framework of applicable laws and regulations.
He, however, urged Vice Chancellors to ensure that autonomy was accompanied by responsible leadership, transparency and integrity in institutional appointments, recruitment and administration.
Alausa called on university managements to prioritise staff welfare, improve teaching and learning, and sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government to promote industrial harmony and prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education system through improved workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, respect for university autonomy and the delivery of quality education.
