President Bola Tinubu has removed one of the major obstacles slowing staff recruitment in federal universities, a move expected to help institutions employ lecturers and other workers faster to fill critical vacancies.
The President announced that federal universities will no longer need recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), saying the decision will strengthen university autonomy and improve manpower needs.
Tinubu, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, made the announcement on Saturday at the maiden convocation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), where 50 pioneer graduates received their degrees.
He said the reform, which forms part of agreements recently signed with university staff unions, gives the Federal Ministry of Education and university governing councils greater authority to recruit workers without unnecessary delays.
“This measure empowers the Federal Ministry of Education and university Governing Councils to discharge their respective responsibilities in staff recruitment, enabling institutions to respond more effectively to their legitimate manpower needs,” Tinubu said.
The President also announced that the Federal Government is moving tertiary institution workers from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to improve salary payments, transparency and accountability.
According to him, the migration will ensure timely and accurate payment of salaries while taking into account the unique operational needs of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education through improved infrastructure, research funding and better staff welfare.
He disclosed that the Federal Government provided an initial N8 billion through TETFund to establish FUHSA after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The President added that more funding would come through TETFund interventions and the 2026 budget for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles.
He also revealed that the government has set aside N10 billion for the National Research Fund in 2026 and urged universities, especially specialised institutions like FUHSA, to carry out research that addresses Nigeria’s health challenges.
On staff welfare, Tinubu said the government had reached agreements with academic and non-academic unions on the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), effective January 1, 2026.
He stressed that both teaching and non-teaching workers play vital roles in delivering quality education and sustaining tertiary institutions.
The President further disclosed that 1,798 FUHSA students, representing 43 per cent of the university’s enrolment, received support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session.
He said the student loan scheme was designed to ensure that no qualified Nigerian is denied higher education because of financial challenges.
Congratulating the university’s pioneer graduates, Tinubu urged them to use their knowledge to improve healthcare delivery and uphold professionalism, integrity, compassion and service.
He also commended the university’s management and governing council for laying a solid foundation for the institution and encouraged stronger partnerships with international universities to improve teaching, research and healthcare delivery.
The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting FUHSA’s growth, saying the institution would play a key role in producing healthcare professionals and researchers needed to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.