- the released funds align with the terms of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU
- The minister also emphasized the need for strict adherence to financial rules
- He described the matter as urgent and called on university management to give it immediate attention
The Federal Government has disbursed funds covering five months of outstanding Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance owed to academic staff in federal universities, directing vice-chancellors to ensure immediate payment to eligible lecturers.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that this was contained in an official letter seen by The PUNCH and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, who instructed university heads to expedite the settlement of all pending arrears without delay.
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The directive, issued on June 4, 2026, was sent to vice-chancellors of federal universities as part of the government’s ongoing implementation of agreements previously reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to the minister, the released funds align with the terms of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, which covers welfare-related entitlements for academic staff.
Alausa stated that the allocation was meant to ensure full payment of five months’ arrears of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and urged institutions to act quickly in disbursing the money to qualified lecturers.
He further instructed that any institution which had earlier used internally generated revenue or other resources to cover the allowance from January 2026 should recover such expenses once federal funding is received, and appropriately credit the relevant accounts and budget lines.
The minister also emphasized the need for strict adherence to financial rules, insisting that universities must properly document all payments and any reimbursements carried out under the arrangement.
He described the matter as urgent and called on university management to give it immediate attention.
The allowance is intended to support lecturers in carrying out academic duties such as research, publication, internet access, and the procurement of teaching materials essential for effective learning and scholarship.
Over the years, disputes around allowances and other welfare issues have remained central in negotiations between the Federal Government and ASUU, often leading to industrial actions that disrupt academic activities in public universities.
In 2025, both parties signed a renewed agreement aimed at improving funding conditions and addressing long-standing concerns in the university system, including remuneration and working conditions.
Education observers say timely payment of allowances and consistent adherence to agreements remain critical to maintaining stability in the tertiary education sector and preventing recurring strikes.
The latest release is therefore expected to ease financial pressure on lecturers and contribute to smoother academic operations across federal universities.
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