24/09/2026
IBBU LAPAI: Matane clarifies EAA/EA arrears, ASUU strike, CONTTA/CATA
Comrade Jibrin Matane AbdulAzeez of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has clarified issues surrounding the outstanding Earned Academic Allowance and Earned Allowance arrears, the ongoing ASUU strike and the implementation of CONTTA and CATA at the university.
In a personal submission dated September 24, 2026, Comrade Matane said the clarification was intended to provide factual context to recent developments and address what he described as incomplete or misleading narratives circulating on social media.
He specifically stated that the submission was made in his individual capacity and should not be regarded as the official position of ASUU, SSANU, NASU, NATT, the Joint Action Committee, University Management or any other body.
He explained that the EAA and EA arrears, amounting to one-point-three billion naira, arose from the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and university unions and accumulated over successive administrations.
According to him, following an engagement between the Joint Action Committee of the four in-house unions and the Niger State Government in December 2025, an arrangement was reached for the payment of the arrears at one hundred million naira monthly for thirteen months.
He said three hundred million naira had been paid before a meeting held on September 8, 2026, involving the State Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, University Management and representatives of ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NATT.
Comrade Matane said Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago subsequently reviewed the arrangement and increased the monthly payment to two hundred million naira for the remaining period.
He added that the September payment of two hundred million naira was made within twenty-four hours, bringing the total amount paid to five hundred million naira and leaving eight hundred million naira outstanding.
On CONTTA and CATA, he explained that the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Allowance applies to non-teaching staff, while the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance concerns academic staff.
He said the financial implication of implementing the allowances at IBBU Lapai was estimated at nearly two hundred million naira, based on submissions from the University Management.
On the ongoing ASUU strike, Comrade Matane said the action was connected to concerns at the local branch and was being implemented in line with directives from the national leadership of the union.
He therefore urged members of the public to understand the distinction between the local circumstances and directives issued by the national body.
He said engagements on the various issues had continued through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, the Head of Service, the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Deputy Governor and other government representatives.
Comrade Matane also explained that the September 22 visit to Government House by University Management and representatives of the four unions was initially to commiserate with the Governor and people of Niger State over the deaths of thirty-seven miners in Minna.
He said the Governor subsequently raised issues concerning the ASUU strike, EAA/EA arrears and CONTTA/CATA during the interaction.
According to him, Governor Bago reaffirmed his commitment to the revised EAA/EA payment arrangement and assured stakeholders that another two hundred million naira would be paid in October.
He added that the Governor indicated that, subject to the availability of additional funds, government could consider paying approximately four hundred million naira, representing about half of the remaining balance, as a lump sum.
The Governor also appealed for the suspension of the strike and a return to negotiations, while acknowledging that the local ASUU chapter was acting within the framework of a national directive.
Comrade Matane called for responsible reporting of the developments, particularly on social media.
He urged students, parents, staff and members of the public to rely on verified information and distinguish between demands presented, agreements reached, payments made, outstanding balances and issues still under negotiation.
He said the ultimate objective should be the resolution of the outstanding financial obligations and the strengthening of dialogue among the government, university management and the various unions.
