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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged plots to abolish Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFund) and described the plot as dangerous for the country’s tertiary education system.
It rather called for more funds to the Agency to enable it improve the universities and reduce mass exodus of Nigerian students abroad.
ASUU Calabar Zone stated this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital after its zonal conference on Monday.
The zone is composed of seven public Universities in Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom states and Abia States.
They include: Abia State University, (ABSU); Akwa Ibom State University, (AKSU); Ebonyi State University, (EBSU); Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, (AE-FUNAI); University of Calabar, (UNICAL); University of Cross River State, (UNICROSS); and University of Uyo, (UNIUYO)
They described the component of the proposed Nigerian Tax Bill, which is before the National Assembly, that seeks to abolish the Fund as a dangerous policy and a last blow to break the backbone of Tertiary Education in Nigeria, which TETFund has sustained over the years.
In a statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Happiness Uduk, the Union condemned the abrogation of what they described as “live-wire” of tertiary institutions in Nigeria by allowing a zero allocation to TETFUND from the year 2030.
The Zonal Coordinator said TETFUND is the major source of funding in public tertiary institutions and has been essential for the improvement and maintenance of standards in higher educational institutions.
The Calabar zone of ASUU described as unpatriotic proposed the new proposed tax regime” where Education tax, called development levy, used to bankroll TETFUND’s programmes owing to dearth and decay of educational infrastructures will now be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
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“ASUU notes with serious concern Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024, which specifically states that only 50% of the Development Levy would be made available to TETFund in 2025 and 2026 while NITDA, NISENI, and NELFUND would share the remaining percentage”, the Union said.
ASUU, therefore, called on governments, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFUND, describing the move as an ill wind with dire consequences.
The university teacher’s union further noted that the TETFUND Act has not been repealed and taking funds from the Education Tax (Development levy) to fund other agencies not provided in the Act is unlawful and in contravention of the extant laws of the land.
“ASUU therefore is vehemently opposed to this and condemns the abrogation of the Live- wire of tertiary institutions in Nigeria by allowing a zero allocation to TETFund by 2030”
“We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the National House of Assembly and all National Assembly members, State Governors, parents, students and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFund as it is an ill-wind that is pregnant with dire consequences,” ASUU said.
The Union also faulted the creation of NELFUND to give students loans in millions of Naira in a country where the State Governors have not accepted to pay a minimum wage of N70, O00:00k.
“This is a calamity that will lead to very unpleasant ends when students graduate and are not availed of well-paid jobs that can guarantee repayment.
“It spells doom as students may be forced to use the so-called Education loan to fund universities through outrageous fees and levies”, they said
The Union further noted that the impact and interventions of TETFund, even with the vested interests, are the reasons tertiary institutions have not lost their glory like the public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
“We therefore propose that henceforth, only academics should be appointed into the Executive Secretary position of TETFund so that the Executive Secretary can be easily connected to the dreams and aspirations of tertiary institutions with a clear vision and mission,” the Union added.
