Tinubu Govt Tells Universities: Pay Lecturers From Your Own Money — Students Fear Fee Spike

The Tinubu government just told federal universities to start paying lecturers’ allowances out of their own internally generated revenue. No federal cash. Just — figure it out. Reportersroom got hold of the memo that spells it all out.

It came from Modibbo Adama University in Yola. Dated May 18, 2026. Signed by the bursar, Hanien N. Ayuka. The Federal Ministry of Education basically ordered vice-chancellors across the board to fund the Consequential Adjustment and Transport Allowance (CATA) themselves — starting January 2026.

Thing is, the university has been paying it. From its own IGR. But now it’s tapped out.

“It could be recalled that the Minister of Education in a letter addressed to ALL Vice Chancellors directing them to source funds from their respective IGR and immediately implement the payment of CATA allowance… with effect from January 2026.”

“The cash backing however has not been made available up till this moment.”

So they’re cutting it off. Starting May 2026. No more CATA until Abuja coughs up money that clearly isn’t coming.

Copies went out to the VC, deputy VCs, provost, registrar, ASUU chair, payroll head — the whole chain.

One lecturer — wouldn’t give a name, obviously — told Reportersroom the situation is a disaster.

“The lecturers are stranded. Universities can’t keep eating their own revenue to pay statutory allowances. It’s not built for that.”

And here’s the kicker.

“Many universities will jack up fees next session. The government basically told them — fund yourselves or die.”

A management meeting apparently already discussed raising tuition. Not a rumor. A resolution.

Reportersroom found out students and staff are already anxious. Another round of hikes on top of everything else? Nigerian families are barely breathing.

This isn’t new either. Federal universities have been steadily raising fees for years. Students protest. Unions shout. Government shrugs.

ASUU fires back — hard.

The Nsukka Zone of ASUU held a presser at Benue State University, Makurdi. Thursday. Zonal Coordinator Comrade Christian Opata didn’t hold back.

“The Federal Government is taking the unproductive route that it is used to. Before the 2025 Agreement, FGN forced us to strike over the 2009 deal. Now it’s doing the same thing again.”

The 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement was signed January 14, 2026. Opata says implementation has been “partial, distorted and largely abandoned.”

No Implementation Monitoring Committee. Not inaugurated. That alone kills the deal.

Then there’s this — the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced a National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) after an FEC meeting April 7. $500 million benchmark, he said.

ASUU wasn’t consulted. At all.

“One of the parties to the agreement was not involved whatsoever — a clear breach.”

The union also tore into the funding model. The agreement says at least 1% of GDP must go to research. Not a random $500 million pulled from thin air.

“One wonders how the Minister came about the $500 million,” the union asked. Fair question.

Bottom line? The government wants universities self-funding. Lecturers unpaid. Students paying more. And ASUU ready to walk.

Another strike is not a maybe anymore. It’s a countdown.