The Bayelsa State Government has approved the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for staff of its three state-owned universities.
The approval was announced by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, during a resumed meeting with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from the Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) and University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT).
The meeting was held on Friday at the Government House, Yenagoa.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi.
According to the statement, the approval was sequel to a resolution of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly which was transmitted to Governor Douye Diri for consideration.
Dr. Akpe disclosed that the implementation will cost the state over N500 million monthly across the three institutions.
He said government will commence payment of the increase, amounting to about N2.25 billion, from October 2026, while the arrears of the 25-35 percent wage award will be paid next year.
The Deputy Governor said the executive and legislature worked in synergy to address the demands of ASUU to forestall incessant disruptions in the academic calendar of the state universities.
He noted that the Governor Diri-led administration remains labour-friendly and has already captured payment of the arrears in the 2027 budget proposal.
He appealed to ASUU to suspend its ongoing indefinite strike in the interest of students and to sustain the cordial government-labour relationship.
He said: “His Excellency does not want any form of disagreement with labour. He has graciously approved the allowances, despite some elements of intimidation from ASUU. We chose not to toe that path in the interest of our children and the good relationship government has maintained with labour over the years.
“We wrote to the Assembly because of the huge financial implication involved. The House approved the payment on the proposed dates and also included the arrears in the 2027 budget. This is the position of government and I believe with this discussion, we have met most, if not all, of your demands. We should allow normalcy to return to our universities.”
Responding, immediate past Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and Chairperson of ASUU, NDU Chapter, Dr. Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the state government for addressing the union’s demands.
Speaking with Government House correspondents after the meeting, Dr. Bebeteidoh said the three ASUU chairpersons had agreed to convene congresses in their respective chapters to brief members on the new offer by government, which he described as impressive.
He was flanked by the Chairperson of ASUU, BMU Chapter, Dr. Sylva Ligeiaziba and his counterpart in UAT, Dr. Sunny Abeki.
He, however, said due process would be followed in suspending the strike.
