Education Minister Tasks VCs On Prompt Payment Of Staff Entitlements
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has urged vice-chancellors of federal universities to ensure the prompt payment of eligible staff entitlements, warning against delays despite the Federal Government’s intervention to address outstanding arrears.
Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday said Alausa made the call during a meeting with vice-chancellors of federal universities.
The entitlements include the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and payments under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare, insisting that university managements must ensure that eligible employees receive their legitimate entitlements while maintaining transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
The minister expressed concern over reports that some universities were still delaying payments to eligible staff despite government efforts to resolve funding challenges and facilitate the settlement of outstanding arrears.
He said the Federal Government had engaged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, to address the challenges and ensure that affected workers received their outstanding entitlements.
According to him, while some universities made payments in January, others subsequently experienced financial difficulties as their available reserves declined.
Alausa said government intervention had helped resolve outstanding funding issues, with arrears reportedly paid up to September, but expressed concern that payment delays persisted in some institutions.
He therefore urged vice-chancellors to work with the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding cases and ensure that no eligible staff member was denied their entitlements because of avoidable administrative or financial management lapses.
The minister explained that personnel allocations were calculated based on approved wage bills and released monthly, noting that changes in staff strength resulting from retirements, attrition and other circumstances could affect actual personnel expenditure.
He stressed that funds allocated for personnel costs must be used strictly for their approved purposes, adding that university managements had a responsibility to demonstrate prudent financial management and accountability in handling public resources.
“It is not right. It is not acceptable,” Alausa said, emphasising that workers should not experience unnecessary delays in receiving payments due to them.
He added that the Ministry of Education would continue engaging university authorities to address outstanding payment issues and strengthen compliance with applicable financial laws and regulations.
On university autonomy, the minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing universities to manage their internal affairs within the framework of existing laws.
He, however, stressed that autonomy must be accompanied by responsible leadership, transparency and integrity in institutional appointments, recruitment and administration.
Alausa urged vice-chancellors to prioritise staff welfare, sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government and promote industrial harmony to prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
He also reaffirmed the government’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.
