By Musa Muhammad Rabiu
The Federal Government has released funds to settle five months of arrears on the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for academic staff in federal universities, directing vice-chancellors to ensure immediate disbursement to eligible lecturers.
This update was shared in an official circular dated June 4, 2026. The circular, with reference number FME/IS/UNI/C.98/Vol.2/14, was signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, and sent to the vice-chancellors of all federal universities.
Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) is a dedicated, tax-free allowance introduced (or restructured) under the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) – Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement. It is specifically for academic staff (lecturers, researchers, and other eligible university teaching personnel) in federal universities across Nigeria.
The Federal Government has introduced the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), a fixed monthly tax-free allowance for lecturers and researchers in Nigerian federal universities to support their teaching, research, and professional development.
This allowance covers key expenses such as journal publications, conference attendance, internet data subscriptions, membership fees for learned societies, and the purchase of academic books and materials.
The Federal Government has reviewed and approved the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) as part of the 2025 agreement it signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on January 14, 2026.
This allowance now forms a major part of the new salary and benefits package for lecturers and researchers in federal universities. It is included in the 40 per cent upward review of their overall emoluments aimed at improving welfare and boosting academic performance.
In the official circular dated June 4, 2026, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the release of funds for CATA arrears demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to fully implementing the renegotiated agreement with ASUU.
The move is expected to help lecturers meet essential academic needs such as research publications, conference participation, internet subscriptions, and the purchase of books and learning materials without financial strain.
“I write to inform you that the Federal Government has released funds for the payment of five (5) months Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to eligible academic staff of federal universities, in accordance with the provisions of the signed FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement, and in fulfilment of the FGN’s commitment to effective implementation of the agreement,” the minister stated.
He directed vice-chancellors to ensure the immediate clearance of all outstanding CATA payments owed to lecturers and other eligible academic staff in their respective institutions.
“In addition, where the university had advanced funds from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) or any other institutional source for the payment of the allowance from January 2026, appropriate steps should be taken to refund such amounts to the relevant university accounts and budget heads upon receipt of the Federal Government allocation,” the minister added.