The Nigerian Government has announced the release of funds for the payment of eight months of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The government noted that the allowance covers the period from January to August 2026 and is being implemented as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling its agreements with academic staff in the country’s tertiary institutions
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.
According to the minister, the release of the funds demonstrates the government’s commitment to implementing approved agreements and prioritising the welfare of education personnel.
Dr. Alausa said the payment was being implemented in line with the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN–ASUU) Agreement.
He stated that all federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education had received notification to commence payment to eligible academic staff.
The development is expected to provide financial relief to eligible academic personnel across federal tertiary institutions, following the government’s release of funds covering the first eight months of the 2026 academic year.
The minister also disclosed that the government was making arrangements for the corresponding allowance for non-academic staff in federal tertiary institutions.
According to him, funding for the non-academic staff allowance is expected to be made available within the coming weeks.
The development comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to implement agreements and interventions aimed at improving the welfare of personnel within the education sector.
Reaffirming the administration’s position on education sector development, Alausa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to improving staff welfare, infrastructure and the overall quality of education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister’s announcement also signals the government’s ongoing efforts to address welfare-related issues affecting workers in federal tertiary institutions while strengthening the implementation of existing agreements.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to ensuring effective implementation of approved interventions and agreements across the education sector.
The ministry said the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance would cover eligible academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the eight-month period from January to August 2026.
