Academic staff across federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are set to receive the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance following the release of funds by the Federal Government.
Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday, stating that payments covering January through August 2026 had been fully released.
Alausa made the announcement after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation, stressing that the payment was part of the government’s implementation of its 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance is intended to assist academic staff in purchasing materials and equipment needed for teaching, research and other duties connected to their work.
The minister said all federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education had been notified to begin the process of paying eligible academic workers.
“The full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa said.
He urged the affected institutions to proceed with the payment to their academic staff.
Beyond academic personnel, the minister disclosed that arrangements were also ongoing to process the corresponding payment for non-academic staff.
The latest development comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to fulfil commitments contained in its agreement with ASUU and address some of the financial concerns affecting workers in the tertiary education sector.
CATA is expected to help academic staff meet some of the costs associated with acquiring tools and materials required for their teaching and research activities.
