Relief for UNZA and CBU Staff

The government releases K450 million to clear pension and gratuity arrears for retired and serving staff while boosting operational funding and infrastructure support in public universities

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia25 — (01-07-2026) --- The Government has released K450 million to settle long-standing pension and gratuity arrears at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU), while also increasing operational funding and supporting infrastructure rehabilitation at the two public institutions.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Administration, Noriana Muneku, said the funds are meant for both retired and eligible serving members of staff who have been affected by accumulated arrears over several years.

She said K88 million has been allocated to the Copperbelt University (CBU) to clear outstanding pension and gratuity obligations owed to both retired staff and qualifying serving employees.

At the University of Zambia, K225 million will go towards settling pension arrears for retired and eligible serving staff covering the period 2021 to 2023, while K137 million has been set aside to clear gratuity arrears accumulated between 2016 and 2020.

Muneku said the main beneficiaries are staff whose terminal benefits and pension-related payments remain outstanding, including those already retired and those still in service but affected by past arrears.

She said the universities will also benefit indirectly through improved operational funding, aimed at strengthening teaching, research, administration, and overall service delivery.

Students and staff are expected to benefit from improved learning and working conditions as government continues efforts to stabilise public universities.

Muneku said government has also released operational support under the 2026 national budget, with UNZA receiving K90 million and CBU receiving K50 million.

She further said government has committed K78 million towards the rehabilitation of sewer and sanitation infrastructure at UNZA, addressing long-standing hygiene challenges on campus.

“The condition of sanitation infrastructure at UNZA has been a concern for students, staff, parents and the wider public. Universities must provide environments that are safe, clean and conducive to learning,” she said.

Muneku said the interventions reflect government’s commitment to addressing historical financial obligations while strengthening the sustainability of public universities.

She added that broader governance and financial management reforms are being implemented to prevent the recurrence of accumulated liabilities.

Speaking in Lusaka on Wednesday, Muneku said the Ministry had a responsibility to update the nation on the status of UNZA and CBU.

She said both institutions have accumulated significant obligations over the years, including unpaid pensions and gratuities, statutory liabilities, ageing infrastructure, and operational constraints affecting performance and service delivery.

“These challenges developed over an extended period and require sustained, carefully planned interventions rather than short-term solutions,” she said.

Muneku said government has been progressively implementing measures to restore financial stability and strengthen governance in the higher education sector.

She noted that between 2022 and 2025, government released K556 million to UNZA to clear outstanding terminal benefits, including gratuity obligations from 2011 to 2016 and pension arrears from 2011 to 2020.

She explained that the K450 million released will be distributed as follows: K88 million to CBU for pension and gratuity arrears, K225 million for UNZA pension obligations covering 2021 to 2023, and K137 million for UNZA gratuity arrears covering 2016 to 2020.

Muneku said the interventions are part of government’s effort to honour obligations owed to former staff whose service contributed to the development of the higher education sector.

She said government also recognises the need to improve learning and working environments in the institutions.

“UNZA received an additional K90 million in operational funding, while CBU received K50 million,” she said.

Muneku said the allocations are intended to strengthen operations, improve service delivery, and allow universities to focus on teaching, research and innovation.

She further said government has committed K78 million to rehabilitate sewer and sanitation infrastructure at UNZA.

“The condition of sanitation infrastructure at UNZA has been a matter of concern for students, staff, parents and the wider public. Modern universities require environments that are safe, clean and conducive to learning,” she said.

She said the objective is to ensure the universities become financially sustainable institutions capable of meeting obligations without accumulating new liabilities.

Muneku emphasised that the Ministry expects university councils, vice-chancellors, management teams and all public officers to uphold accountability, transparency and financial discipline.