The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Tertiary Institutions in Borno State has appealed to the state government to urgently reconsider its position on the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and other approved academic allowances for staff of state-owned tertiary institutions.
In a statement obtained by The News Chronicle on Wednesday, JAC said the appeal followed recent developments in neighbouring Yobe State, where Governor Mai Mala Buni approved the implementation of CATA and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) for staff of eight state-owned tertiary institutions and other government agencies.
The committee described the development in Yobe as a positive example of government support for the welfare and professional needs of academic staff, noting that such measures would also help improve the quality of tertiary education.
JAC urged the Borno State Government to take similar steps to ensure that academic staff in the state are not left behind in the growing movement toward the implementation of CATA and other negotiated academic welfare packages.
According to the committee, CATA is intended to assist academic staff in acquiring essential tools and materials needed for teaching, research and other academic activities.
JAC also noted that the Federal Government had released CATA covering January to August 2026 for academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The committee further cited developments in Taraba State, where discussions and administrative processes concerning CATA implementation have been pursued involving the state government, Ministry of Tertiary Education, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the management of Taraba State University.
Against this backdrop, JAC called on the Borno State Government to reconsider its current position and begin the necessary administrative process for implementing CATA in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The committee stressed that Borno remains a major education hub in the North-East, with its tertiary institutions playing an important role in producing the skilled workforce needed for the reconstruction and development of the state.
“Supporting academic staff with appropriate welfare packages is therefore an investment in the quality and sustainability of education,” the committee said.
JAC called for constructive engagement between the state government, relevant ministries, governing councils and other stakeholders to develop a clear and practical roadmap for implementing CATA and other applicable academic allowances.
The committee emphasised that its position was not confrontational, but a responsible appeal for equity, fairness and the strengthening of tertiary education in Borno State.
It reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and peaceful engagement with the government in the interest of academic staff, students, tertiary institutions and the people of Borno State
