The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to address delays in the payment of approved staff salaries and allowances, warning that eligible employees should not be left waiting for their entitlements.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with university heads amid concerns over outstanding payments to some university workers, despite government interventions to ease funding challenges.

TVC News reported that Alausa, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the Federal Government had engaged the Ministry of Finance and other relevant authorities to facilitate the settlement of arrears. The statement indicated that outstanding payments had been addressed up to September, although some institutions still had unresolved cases.

The minister specifically highlighted the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), urging university managements to ensure that eligible employees received their dues.

He also warned that personnel funds must be used strictly for their designated purposes. According to him, monthly allocations are based on approved wage bills, while changes in staff numbers resulting from retirements and attrition can affect actual personnel expenditure.

Alausa further stressed that university autonomy must go hand in hand with accountability, particularly in recruitment, appointments and financial administration. He urged vice-chancellors to prioritise workers’ welfare and sustain engagement with the government to prevent avoidable industrial disputes.