The Federal Ministry of Education, led by [Dr Olatunji Alausa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunji_Alausa), told vice‑chancellors of all federal universities on Sunday that any delay in paying approved staff allowances must stop, reaffirming the Tinubu government’s promise to protect workers’ welfare.
Key points from the meeting include: the allowances in question are the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non‑Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS); some universities began disbursing payments in January but later faced cash‑flow pressures; the government says arrears have been cleared up to September; and Alausa warned, “It is not right. It is not acceptable.”
**What allowances are at issue?**
The three allowances – CATA, CONTA and CONMESS – are earmarked for academic tools, non‑teaching support and medical staff salaries respectively. They are funded from the approved wage bill and are meant to be released monthly to eligible staff.
**How is the government tackling the payment backlog?**
According to the minister, the Federal Government has mobilised the [Ministry of Finance](https://fmo.gov.ng) and other relevant bodies to release the necessary funds and to ensure that outstanding arrears are settled. While a few institutions succeeded in paying staff from January, others reported dwindling reserves, prompting the central intervention that reportedly cleared dues through September.
**What does the minister say about university autonomy?**
Alassa reiterated that universities retain the right to manage internal affairs under existing laws, but he stressed that autonomy must be paired with responsible leadership, transparent recruitment and accountable administration. He urged VCs to cooperate with federal agencies to guarantee that staff receive their lawful entitlements without further postponement.
The minister concluded by urging continuous dialogue between university management and the government, highlighting that staff welfare, institutional accountability and the delivery of quality education remain top priorities for the administration.