By ZR Reporter
Government has released K450 million to settle outstanding pension and gratuity obligations for retirees at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU), as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening public universities.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Education, Ms. Noriana Muneku, said the funding demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to restoring financial stability and improving the operations of the country’s two largest public universities.
Ms. Muneku said K88 million has been allocated to clear all outstanding pension and gratuity obligations for retirees at the Copperbelt University, while K225 million will settle pension obligations for retirees at the University of Zambia covering the period from 2021 to 2023.
She added that a further K137 million will be used to clear gratuity obligations at UNZA for the period from 2016 to 2020.
She noted that the latest funding builds on previous Government interventions, which saw K556 million released to the University of Zambia between 2022 and 2025 to clear terminal benefits, including gratuities dating back to 2011 and pension arrears accumulated up to 2020.
Ms. Muneku further said Government undertook a landmark debt restructuring exercise involving approximately K2.1 billion owed by the University of Zambia to the Zambia Revenue Authority, significantly reducing the institution’s debt burden and creating room for financial recovery.
She said Government has also increased operational support to public universities through the 2026 National Budget, with the University of Zambia receiving an additional K90 million and the Copperbelt University receiving K50 million to strengthen institutional operations and improve service delivery.
The PS added that Government has committed K78 million towards rehabilitating the sewer and sanitation infrastructure at the University of Zambia, describing the investment as critical to improving public health, student welfare and the overall learning environment.
Ms. Muneku said Government is implementing broader higher education reforms aimed at strengthening financial management systems, improving institutional planning, enhancing revenue generation, modernising infrastructure and reinforcing good corporate governance in public universities.
She urged University Councils, Vice-Chancellors and management teams to uphold the highest standards of accountability, transparency and financial discipline to prevent the recurrence of financial challenges that have affected the institutions over the years.
Ms. Muneku reaffirmed Government’s commitment to building strong, resilient and globally competitive public universities.
Zambia Reports l 1st July, 2026.