The Federal Government has released funds to pay eight months of accumulated Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to eligible academic staff in federal tertiary institutions across the country.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, saying the payment covers the period from January to August 2026.
Alausa said the funds had been released to federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, including federal universities of agriculture.
“I am happy to announce that the CATA payment has now been settled by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,” the minister said.
He added that the institutions had been notified to commence payment of the allowance to eligible academic staff.
CATA is a fixed allowance designed to support lecturers in their teaching, research and professional development activities.
It covers expenses including academic journal publications, conference participation, internet services, membership of professional and learned societies, and the purchase of academic books.
The allowance was reviewed under the Federal Government’s renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, signed on January 14, 2026.
It forms part of the revised remuneration package for university lecturers and is included in the 40 per cent increase in their overall emoluments.
At its National Executive Council meeting in June, ASUU reviewed the implementation of its agreement with the Federal Government and raised concerns over some outstanding components of the revised remuneration package, including CATA.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a major social intervention capable of reducing poverty by helping students from less privileged backgrounds access and remain in tertiary institutions.
Shettima spoke in Abuja on Wednesday when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, on a courtesy visit.
He said NELFUND had helped remove financial barriers that had historically prevented many young Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
According to him, the programme provides tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances, giving students from poor and vulnerable families an opportunity to pursue university education without immediate financial pressure.
Shettima said NELFUND was not merely an education financing scheme but also a strategic tool for poverty reduction and human capital development.
Recalling his experience as a student at the University of Maiduguri, where rising food prices made life difficult for students, the Vice President said NELFUND was providing relief to young Nigerians facing similar economic challenges.
“NELFUND is a very beautiful initiative by the leadership of this country under President Bola Tinubu, created to give respite and breathing space to the children of the poor,” he said.
