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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) before hiring.
Tinubu, who is Visitor to all federal universities, said the reform will strengthen university autonomy and enable institutions to address manpower needs more efficiently.
The President announced this on Saturday at the maiden convocation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, where 50 pioneer graduands received their degrees.
Tinubu who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, said the removal was documented in the 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.
The President said the Federal Government has also commenced migration of tertiary institution staff from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
He said the transition will enhance payroll efficiency, improve transparency and accountability, ensure timely and accurate salary payments, and accommodate the peculiarities of tertiary institutions.
According to him, the move is part of broader reforms to strengthen institutional autonomy, improve personnel and payroll management, and create an enabling environment for teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.
Tinubu reaffirmed government’s commitment to infrastructure, research funding and staff welfare.
He disclosed that the Federal Government provided an initial N8 billion intervention to FUHSA through TETFund for its establishment, after COVID-19 exposed gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He said further investments will come through TETFund’s regular and special interventions, and through provisions in the 2026 national budget for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles.
He also disclosed that N10bn has been provided for the National Research Fund in 2026, and urged universities, especially specialised institutions like FUHSA, to pursue research addressing the country’s pressing health challenges.
On welfare, Tinubu said government has signed agreements with academic and non-academic unions on payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), effective January 1, 2026.
He said the agreements, signed with unions of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, recognise the distinct but complementary roles of teaching and non-teaching staff.
“Both categories are indispensable to the delivery of quality education and national development,” he said.
The President said 1,798 FUHSA students, representing 43 per cent of the institution’s population, have secured support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 session, as part of efforts to ensure financial constraints do not stop qualified Nigerians from accessing higher education.
He congratulated the 50 pioneer graduands and urged them to deploy their knowledge to improve healthcare delivery, especially 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 commended FUHSA management, staff and governing council for establishing the institution and urged them to build a centre of excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation.
He also encouraged the university to strengthen collaborations with international partners, including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, and translate them into measurable improvements in teaching, research and healthcare delivery.
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