Alausa warns VCs against delays in CATA, CONTA, CONMESS payments

By Felix Khanoba

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has urged vice-chancellors of federal universities to ensure prompt payment of eligible workers’ entitlements under the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), warning against avoidable delays despite government interventions to address funding challenges.

Alausa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and university autonomy, stressing that institutional managers must demonstrate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

The minister made the call during a meeting with vice-chancellors of federal universities, where he emphasised the need for university managements to fulfil their obligations to staff while ensuring that funds allocated for personnel expenditure were judiciously utilised.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening Nigeria’s university system.

He explained that the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding constraints and facilitate the settlement of outstanding arrears.

The minister noted that although some universities made payments in January, others subsequently experienced financial difficulties as their available reserves dwindled.

He said government intervention had helped resolve outstanding funding issues, with arrears reportedly settled up to September.

However, Alausa expressed concern over reports that some eligible university employees were still experiencing delays in receiving their entitlements despite measures taken to address the funding challenges.

He urged vice-chancellors to work with relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that affected staff received their legitimate payments without further delay.

The minister explained that personnel allocations were determined by approved wage bills and released monthly, adding that changes in staff strength resulting from retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.

He stressed that funds earmarked for personnel costs must be used strictly for their approved purposes, noting that university managements had a duty to uphold prudent financial management and accountability in handling public resources.

“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” the minister said, emphasising the need to eliminate avoidable administrative and financial management bottlenecks that prevent workers from receiving their entitlements.

Alausa added that the Ministry of Education would continue engaging relevant university authorities to resolve outstanding payment issues and strengthen accountability in the management of public funds in line with existing laws and regulations.

On university autonomy, the minister reiterated 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 uphold transparency, integrity and accountability in institutional appointments, recruitment processes and general administration.

According to him, university autonomy must be matched by responsible leadership and a commitment to improving teaching and learning, strengthening institutional administration and expanding access to educational opportunities for Nigerian students.

The minister also called on vice-chancellors to maintain constructive engagement with the Federal Government, prioritise staff welfare and promote industrial harmony to prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and implementing measures aimed at strengthening the higher education sector, with particular attention to workers’ welfare, institutional accountability, university autonomy and the delivery of quality education.

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