President Bola Tinubu has removed the requirement for federal universities to obtain recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), in a move aimed at strengthening institutional autonomy and improving staff recruitment.
Tinubu announced the reform on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), in Bauchi State, where 50 pioneer graduands received their degrees.
The President, who serves as visitor to all federal universities, was represented at the ceremony by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono.
He said the reform was documented in recent agreements signed with university staff unions.
“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.
FG Plans Tertiary Institution Payroll Transition
Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government was taking steps to migrate staff of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
According to him, the transition is intended to improve payroll efficiency, transparency and accountability while ensuring timely and accurate salary payments.
He said the proposed arrangement would also accommodate the operational peculiarities of tertiary institutions.
The President described the measures as part of the government’s broader commitment to strengthening institutional autonomy and creating an enabling environment for effective teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.
FUHSA Receives N8bn Initial Intervention
On infrastructure development, Tinubu said the Federal Government had provided FUHSA with an initial intervention of N8 billion through TETFund to support its establishment.
He explained that the university was established following the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Tinubu added that further investments would be channelled to the institution through TETFund’s regular and special interventions.
He also cited provisions in the 2026 national budget for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles to support the university’s development.
The President disclosed that N10 billion had been provided for the National Research Fund in 2026, urging universities, particularly specialised institutions such as FUHSA, to pursue research that addresses Nigeria’s pressing health challenges.
Tinubu Announces Allowances For University Staff
The President said agreements had been signed 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.
According to him, the agreements cover universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
He said the arrangements recognise the distinct but complementary roles of teaching and non-teaching personnel in delivering quality education and advancing national development.
“These agreements recognise the distinct but complementary contributions of academic and non-teaching personnel to the effective functioning of our tertiary institutions. Both categories are indispensable to the delivery of quality education and national development,” he said.
1,798 FUHSA Students Receive NELFUND Support
Tinubu further revealed that 1,798 students of FUHSA, representing 43 per cent of the institution’s student population, had secured support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session.
He said the student loan initiative was designed to ensure that financial constraints did not prevent qualified Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
The President congratulated the university’s pioneer graduands and urged them to apply their knowledge and skills towards improving healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.
“Your success will be measured not only by your personal achievements, but also by the positive difference you make in the lives of others,” he said.
He also encouraged the graduates to uphold professionalism, integrity, compassion and service in their careers.
President Urges FUHSA To Build Centre Of Excellence
Tinubu commended the university’s management, staff and governing council for establishing the institution and challenged them to build a centre of excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation.
He encouraged FUHSA to strengthen its collaborations with international institutions, including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
According to him, the partnerships should translate into measurable improvements in teaching, research and healthcare delivery.
Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the university’s growth, expressing confidence that its development would contribute to producing competent health professionals and researchers capable of strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
