Gombe State Governor and Visitor to Gombe State University, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention for Gombe State University to support the implementation of the Enhanced Salary Structure, known as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA).
The approval takes effect from October 2026 and is expected to strengthen the university’s capacity to meet its obligations to academic and non-academic staff.
The Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, disclosed the Governor’s approval, saying the decision was part of the administration’s response to concerns arising from the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
According to Njodi, the additional funding represents a 56 per cent increase in the university’s monthly subvention and will enable the institution to make adequate budgetary provisions for the implementation of the new salary structure.
He said the provisions would be incorporated into the 2026 Supplementary Budget, which is expected to be presented to the Gombe State House of Assembly for consideration in September.
Governor Yahaya has also directed the management of Gombe State University to immediately begin the necessary processes for the payment of outstanding CATA arrears.
The Governor further directed the university management to explore internal measures for the progressive settlement of other outstanding staff obligations.
These include arrears relating to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, the minimum wage and Earned Academic Allowances.
The government said the obligations would be addressed in phases, taking into consideration the university’s financial sustainability and the need to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Government is also looking to strengthen the long-term financing of education through the newly established Gombe State Education Trust Fund.
The Gombe State House of Assembly has passed legislation establishing the fund, with operations expected to commence in October 2026.
The government said the fund would provide a sustainable financing framework for education, particularly Gombe State University and other state-owned tertiary institutions.
It is expected to support recurrent and capital needs in the education sector while providing a more reliable mechanism for addressing staff welfare and institutional requirements.
The state government urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to take into account the measures already introduced and the assurances provided by the administration.
It reiterated its commitment to addressing the concerns of academic and non-academic staff unions while maintaining the financial sustainability of the university.
The Inuwa Yahaya administration said it would continue to engage ASUU, the university management and other stakeholders to promote industrial harmony and safeguard the stability and continued development of Gombe State University.
