FG releases tools allowance to lecturers nationwide

Nkereuwem Effiong

The Federal Government has disbursed the full Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to lecturers in federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, covering January to August 2026.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, confirmed the payment on Wednesday after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.

CATA provides financial support for academic staff to acquire essential teaching and research materials. Alausa explained that the release aligns with the 2025 agreement between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, underscoring the administration’s commitment to staff welfare.

“All institutions should now have received notification to begin paying CATA to academic staff,” he said, adding that payments to non‑academic staff are being processed and expected within weeks.

Alausa described the move as further proof of President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to prioritise the welfare of tertiary institution staff, alongside investments in infrastructure and reforms across basic and postgraduate education.

“This administration is committed to ensuring Nigerian children receive education of a quality comparable to anywhere in the world,” he said. The minister hailed the initiative as transformative, noting that it strengthens both staff welfare and the broader education sector.