The Federal Government has released eight months of arrears of the Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance (CONTA) for non-academic workers in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Reports say the payment targets staff allowance arrears accumulated over the period covered by the government’s disbursement.
The Nigerian Eye and Vanguard both frame the move as part of wider efforts to reduce tensions in the tertiary education sector. The reports state that the non-academic payment follows, or comes shortly after, the start of disbursing the Consolidated Academic Tertiary Institutions Allowance (CATA) to academic staff, with the intent of maintaining industrial harmony and protecting the academic calendar.
While all sources agree on the release of eight months’ CONTA arrears to non-academic staff, they differ slightly in emphasis. Nigerian Eye highlights Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa’s remarks about staff welfare, cooperation with unions, and consultation to address outstanding issues, linking the payments to the administration’s reform agenda. Vanguard similarly stresses preventing fresh crises and disruptions in institutions, without focusing as heavily on the allowance’s policy context.
