By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
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, in a move aimed at strengthening institutional autonomy and enabling universities to fill critical manpower gaps more efficiently.
The President, who is the visitor to federal universities, announced the reform on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, FUHSA, in Bauchi State.
Tinubu who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the measure, captured in recent agreements with university staff unions, would empower the Federal Ministry of Education and university governing councils to discharge their responsibilities in staff recruitment.
He also disclosed plans to migrate tertiary institution employees from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS, to improve payroll efficiency, transparency and timely salary payments.
On funding, the President said the Federal Government had provided an initial eight-billion-naira intervention through TETFund to support FUHSA’s establishment, with further investments expected through regular and special interventions and the 2026 national budget. He added that ten billion naira had been provided for the National Research Fund in 2026, urging universities to pursue research that addresses Nigeria’s pressing challenges, particularly in healthcare.
Tinubu also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to staff welfare, disclosing that agreements had been signed with academic and non-academic unions for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, CONTTA, effective January 1, 2026.
The President further revealed that 1,798 students of FUHSA, representing 43 per cent of its student population, had secured support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, for the 2025/2026 academic session. Congratulating the university’s 50 pioneer graduands, Tinubu urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity and compassion in their service, particularly in improving healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians.
He also called on the university’s management to strengthen international partnerships and build an institution recognised for excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation.
