Tinubu Grants Federal Universities Autonomy To Recruit Staff

President Bola Tinubu has eliminated the requirement for federal universities to acquire recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) earlier than hiring.

Tinubu, who’s Visitor to all federal universities, mentioned the reform will strengthen college autonomy and allow establishments to deal with manpower wants extra effectively.

The President introduced this on Saturday on the maiden convocation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, the place 50 pioneer graduands acquired their levels.

Tinubu who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, mentioned the elimination was documented within the latest agreements signed with college employees 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 mentioned.

The President mentioned the Federal Government has additionally commenced migration of tertiary establishment employees from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

He mentioned the transition will improve payroll effectivity, enhance transparency and accountability, guarantee well timed and correct wage funds, and accommodate the peculiarities of tertiary establishments.

According to him, the transfer is a part of broader reforms to strengthen institutional autonomy, enhance personnel and payroll administration, and create an enabling setting for educating, analysis, innovation and repair supply.

Tinubu reaffirmed authorities’s dedication to infrastructure, analysis funding and employees welfare.

He disclosed that the Federal Government supplied an preliminary N8 billion intervention to FUHSA via TETFund for its institution, after COVID-19 uncovered gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He mentioned additional investments will come via TETFund’s common and particular interventions, and thru provisions within the 2026 nationwide finances for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility automobiles.

He additionally disclosed that N10bn has been supplied for the National Research Fund in 2026, and urged universities, particularly specialised establishments like FUHSA, to pursue analysis addressing the nation’s urgent well being challenges.

On welfare, Tinubu mentioned authorities has signed agreements with tutorial and non-academic unions on fee of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), efficient January 1, 2026.

He mentioned the agreements, signed with unions of universities, polytechnics and schools of schooling, recognise the distinct however complementary roles of educating and non-teaching employees.

“Both categories are indispensable to the delivery of quality education and national development,” he mentioned.

The President mentioned 1,798 FUHSA college students, representing 43 per cent of the establishment’s inhabitants, have secured assist from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 session, as a part of efforts to make sure monetary constraints don’t cease certified Nigerians from accessing greater schooling.

He congratulated the 50 pioneer graduands and urged them to deploy their information to enhance healthcare supply, particularly for susceptible 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 mentioned.

He recommended FUHSA administration, employees and governing council for establishing the establishment and urged them to construct a centre of excellence in well being sciences schooling, analysis and innovation.

He additionally inspired the college to strengthen collaborations with worldwide companions, together with the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, and translate them into measurable enhancements in educating, analysis and healthcare supply.