FG Releases Eight Months of CONTA Arrears for Non-Academic Tertiary Workers

The Federal Government has released eight months of outstanding Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance payments to non-academic workers in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the development on Wednesday, saying the payment covers arrears accumulated between January and August 2026. The announcement came days after non-academic employees across federal tertiary institutions issued an ultimatum over unresolved welfare concerns.

Alausa presented the release as part of the government's response to staff-related issues affecting the tertiary education system. He said non-academic personnel perform important functions that help universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain operational, and linked the payment to efforts to improve worker welfare and reduce tensions capable of disrupting academic activities.

The minister also said the government is seeking greater stability across tertiary institutions by addressing legitimate staff concerns and maintaining engagement with workers. According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education intends to continue consultations with relevant unions, institutional leaders and other stakeholders over matters that remain unresolved.

Alausa appealed to academic and non-academic employees, unions and managers of tertiary institutions to continue cooperating with the government. He said the ministry would keep its attention on staff welfare alongside institutional stability, improved learning outcomes and the development of Nigeria's human capital.

The payment addresses eight months of the specific CONTA arrears announced by the minister, but the report does not state the total monetary value released or provide a breakdown of what individual workers will receive. It also does not indicate that every outstanding welfare demand raised by tertiary-sector workers has been settled.

The government said continued engagement with sector stakeholders would form part of its approach to resolving remaining issues. Alausa connected stability in higher education with wider national development objectives, arguing that institutions responsible for building the country's workforce require a stable environment in which to operate.