Tinubu Ends Recruitment Waiver Hurdle for Federal Universities

President Bola Tinubu has announced a policy change removing federal universities from the requirement to secure recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), giving institutions greater flexibility to meet their staffing needs.

Tinubu disclosed the reform on Saturday at the maiden convocation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, where 50 pioneer graduands received their degrees.

The President, who is the visitor to all federal universities, was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono.

He explained that the exemption was reflected in recent agreements reached between the Federal Government and university staff unions, describing it as part of wider measures to improve the management of tertiary institutions.

“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,” the President said.

The change is expected to reduce administrative delays in university recruitment by allowing institutions to address staffing shortages without first obtaining waivers from the OHCSF.

Tinubu also announced plans to move tertiary institution employees from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

According to the President, the transition is intended to strengthen payroll administration, improve transparency and accountability, ensure salaries are paid accurately and on time, and take account of the specific operational requirements of universities and other tertiary institutions.

He said the recruitment and payroll reforms reflected the government’s determination to promote institutional autonomy and improve conditions for teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.

N8bn Initial Funding for Health Sciences University

At the ceremony, Tinubu disclosed that FUHSA had received an initial N8 billion in funding through TETFund to support its establishment.

He linked the investment to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare system and demonstrated the importance of developing local capacity for medical training and research.

The President said further financial support would be provided through TETFund’s regular and special intervention programmes. He also pointed to allocations in the 2026 national budget for infrastructure, including roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles.

Tinubu further announced that N10 billion had been provided for the National Research Fund in the 2026 fiscal year, calling on universities to focus on research that could help tackle the country’s major health challenges.

He emphasised that stronger investment in health education and research was vital to producing skilled professionals and improving healthcare services across Nigeria.

Academic and Non-Academic Staff to Receive New Allowances

Addressing staff welfare, Tinubu said the Federal Government had reached agreements with academic and non-academic staff unions on the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA).

The allowances are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, and the agreements cover universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He said the agreements acknowledged the importance of both groups of workers and formed part of ongoing discussions with education unions on staff welfare and effective institutional operations.

NELFUND Supports 1,798 FUHSA Students

The President also revealed that 1,798 students at FUHSA had received support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session. The beneficiaries represent 43 per cent of the university’s student population.

He said the scheme was intended to prevent financial hardship from denying qualified Nigerians access to higher education.

Congratulating the institution’s 50 pioneer graduates, Tinubu urged them to apply their training to improving healthcare delivery, especially for vulnerable members of society.

“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 encouraged the graduates to build their careers on professionalism, integrity, compassion and service, stressing that patient welfare and the wider public interest should guide their work.

Tinubu also commended FUHSA’s management, employees and governing council for laying the institution’s foundation. He urged them to position the university as a leading centre for health sciences education, research and innovation.

The President called for stronger collaboration with international institutions, including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, while stressing that such partnerships should deliver tangible improvements in education, research and healthcare services.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the university’s development, saying its growth would help strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to train qualified health professionals and researchers.

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