Gombe gov approves N148.76m monthly funding for state varsity

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Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday, approved an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention for Gombe State University to facilitate the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, effective from October 2026.

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The approval is part of measures by the state government to address demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and concerns arising from the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.

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Recall that the institution’s ASUU branch had issued a 14-week ultimatum to the state government, which is yet to expire, before embarking on strike.

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The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, conveying the governor’s approval.

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Njodi said the additional funding represented a 56 per cent increase in the university’s monthly subvention and would enable the institution to make adequate budgetary provisions for the implementation of the enhanced salary structure.

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He said the funds would be reflected in the 2026 supplementary budget, which is expected to be considered by the State House of Assembly in September.

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“Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention to the institution to facilitate the full implementation of the Enhanced Salary Structure, known as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, effective from October 2026,” Njodi said.

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The governor, who is also the Visitor to the university, directed the management of the institution to immediately commence processes for the payment of outstanding CATA arrears.

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Njodi said the directive was part of the administration’s efforts to address the welfare concerns of academic and non-academic staff, while ensuring that the university remained financially sustainable.

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The governor further directed the university management to explore internal measures towards the gradual settlement of other outstanding staff obligations.

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These, according to the statement, include arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, minimum wage and Earned Academic Allowances.

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Njodi explained that the government intended to address the outstanding obligations in phases, taking into consideration the financial position of the university and the need to avoid disruption of academic activities.

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“Governor Inuwa Yahaya has also directed the university management to immediately commence the necessary processes for the payment of outstanding CATA arrears,” Njodi said.

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The development comes amid concerns over funding and staff welfare at the state-owned university, with ASUU demanding implementation of agreements and payment of outstanding entitlements.

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The state government also disclosed that the Gombe State House of Assembly had passed legislation establishing the Gombe State Education Trust Fund, with operations expected to commence in October 2026.

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According to the government, the fund is intended to provide a sustainable financing framework for education, particularly Gombe State University and other state-owned tertiary institutions.

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It said the initiative would strengthen the government’s ability to meet recurrent and developmental needs in the education sector while providing a more dependable mechanism for addressing staff welfare and institutional requirements.

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The government urged ASUU to consider the measures already taken and the assurances given by the administration, stressing its commitment to resolving the concerns of academic and non-academic staff.

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It also appealed to the union and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at maintaining industrial harmony at the university.

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“The Inuwa Yahaya administration remains committed to working with ASUU, university management and other stakeholders to ensure industrial harmony and preserve the stability and continued development of Gombe State University,” the statement added.

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