The Federal Government has approved the payment of eight months’ outstanding Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance, CONTA, owed to non-academic workers in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The arrears cover the period from January to August 2026 and come days after non-academic staff unions issued an ultimatum over the unpaid allowance.

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Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday, describing the payment as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to address workers’ welfare concerns and maintain stability across the tertiary education sector.

The approval is expected to provide relief to thousands of non-academic personnel who have been awaiting payment of the allowance while negotiations between the government and staff unions continued.

Alausa said the release of the eight-month arrears demonstrated the government’s commitment to the welfare of non-academic workers and recognised their important role in keeping tertiary institutions functional.

“The release of CONTA demonstrates the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and recognition of the critical role played by non-academic personnel in keeping tertiary institutions functional,” the minister said.

He explained that the payment formed part of wider measures being implemented by the government to resolve legitimate welfare concerns, promote industrial harmony and reduce the possibility of disruptions to academic activities.

The minister stressed that the smooth operation of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education depended not only on academic staff but also on the contributions of non-academic personnel responsible for many of the institutions’ administrative and support functions.

The government’s decision comes shortly after non-academic staff unions raised concerns over the unpaid allowance and issued an ultimatum to the authorities.

The development had heightened concerns that unresolved welfare issues could trigger industrial action and further disrupt activities in tertiary institutions.

The release of the arrears is therefore expected to ease tensions between the government and the affected unions while creating room for further discussions on outstanding issues.

Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Education would continue engaging relevant unions, heads of tertiary institutions and other stakeholders to address matters that remain unresolved.

He also appealed to academic and non-academic staff, institutional authorities and unions to sustain cooperation in the interest of stability within the education sector.

According to the minister, the Federal Government considers a stable tertiary education system essential to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and human capital growth.

“The administration will continue to strengthen institutions responsible for developing Nigeria’s human capital. A stable tertiary education system is essential to the country’s socio-economic development,” he said.

Alausa said the ministry would continue to prioritise staff welfare, institutional stability, human capital development and improved learning outcomes.

He added that the government remained focused on strengthening the institutions responsible for preparing Nigerians for the country’s economic and social needs.

While the payment covers eight months, the ministry indicated that discussions with unions and other stakeholders would continue over issues that remain outstanding.

The government said it was committed to fulfilling its obligations to personnel in the tertiary education sector while ensuring that disagreements over welfare matters did not repeatedly interrupt academic activities.

Alausa said the administration’s approach was aligned with the human capital development objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Federal Government remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to personnel in the tertiary education sector and addressing outstanding welfare issues in line with the human capital development objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

The release of the January-to-August 2026 CONTA arrears is expected to strengthen industrial relations in federal tertiary institutions and provide some relief for affected non-academic workers.

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However, attention is likely to remain focused on the government’s ongoing discussions with the unions and whether the latest intervention will lead to a lasting resolution of welfare-related disputes in the sector.