Former Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Agege Federal Constituency, High Chief (Alhaji) Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi (JP), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s recent interventions in the education sector, describing them as critical steps toward strengthening university stability and enhancing youth employability.
Egunjobi’s commendation follows the implementation of key aspects of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), particularly the approval of a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for academic staff in federal universities. The increment takes effect from January 1, 2026.
The policy was conveyed in a directive issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who mandated all federal universities to comply fully and integrate the approved increase into their payroll systems. The minister also disclosed that some institutions have already reflected the increment in their salary payments.
Reacting to the development, Egunjobi described the move as a pragmatic response to long-standing welfare concerns within the university system.
He noted that improved staff welfare is fundamental to enhancing academic productivity, boosting research output and ensuring industrial harmony across tertiary institutions.
He also welcomed the confirmation that the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA) has been captured by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), duly circularised and provided for in the 2026 budget.
According to him, the inclusion of the allowance addresses operational challenges faced by lecturers and strengthens the overall teaching and research environment.
Beyond university reforms, Egunjobi praised the administration’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, launched in October 2025, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing youth unemployment and bridging the skills gap in the economy.
He said the programme represents a deliberate shift toward skills-based education and entrepreneurship, with a focus on producing employable graduates and job creators.
Official figures from the Ministry of Education indicate that more than 250,000 youths have been enrolled in the first cohort of the TVET programme across over 2,600 training centres nationwide, with a long-term target of one million beneficiaries.
Egunjobi described the participation level as encouraging and reflective of effective policy execution.
According to him, the combined emphasis on improved university staff welfare and expanded vocational training demonstrates a balanced and forward-looking approach to education reform.
He urged stakeholders in the education sector, including academic unions and university administrators, to maintain industrial harmony and support ongoing reforms, stressing that sustained stability and collaboration are essential to improving learning outcomes and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
