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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) recently got the nod of the federal government to probe the vice-chancellors of public universities over alleged corruption in the use of TETFund allocations. ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, revealed this at a public presentation of 72 academic textbooks sponsored by TETFund for distribution to tertiary institutions nationwide in Abuja. The probe has become necessary because of noticeable lapses in the management of TETFund allocations.
At a time when corruption in public service appears rampant, the education sector must be rid of corruption in the management of public funds. The ASUU leadership has recently expressed concerns over the performance of several Centres of Excellence funded through TETFund. It also noted that some of the centres may not be delivering outcomes that match the level of investment.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has expressed optimism that probing the activities of TETFund would be in the interest of the public. He has indicated the government’s readiness to work with ASUU to promote accountability and transparency in the management of funds allocated to tertiary institutions. The probe should commence immediately, and those found culpable must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
TETFund was established by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act of 2011. It repealed the 1993 Education Trust Fund. It is an intervention agency established to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate public tertiary education in Nigeria. As an intervention agency, it collects and manages two per cent education tax from companies to fund infrastructure, staff training, and research at public universities, polytechnics, and colleges. Its mandate is to assist in transforming tertiary institutions and making them comparable to their counterparts in other parts of the world.
Given that tertiary institutions in developed countries such as the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, Belgium and Italy are always used as a standard for Nigerian institutions, there is the need to upgrade local institutions to meet world standards. Also, well-equipped tertiary institutions, in terms of infrastructure, manpower development and availability of modern facilities for learning and the provision of modern equipment, are necessary conditions for training of graduates.
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The establishment of TETFund was timely and necessary. Available records show that the agency has performed relatively well in the pursuit and attainment of its objectives. TETFund has transformed Nigerian public tertiary institutions by funding over 687 capital projects in less than two years, including lecture theatres and libraries. The agency has also disbursed nearly N2 trillion between 2011 and 2024 to more than 262 institutions across the country. Other achievements of the intervention agency between 2011 and 2025 included massive staff training, research grants, and digital infrastructure development.
In terms of infrastructure, the agency has completed modern classrooms, laboratories, hostels, administrative buildings and enhanced the learning environment. It has also sponsored many lecturers and postgraduate trainings, both locally and overseas, to upgrade their academic standards. Given the digital technology revolution across the world, TETFund has invested in ICT infrastructure and provided access to over 400 digital libraries globally for students and researchers.
Under the current administration, the agency has prioritised the completion of stalled projects and introduced a 2026 intervention plan worth N6.5 billion for specific initiatives. The agency has provided funds for the construction and equipment of libraries with books and ICT resources, which have enhanced learning in many tertiary institutions across the country. In 2024, the agency was recognised as Most Improved Government Agency of the Year award.
Despite the achievements of TETFund, there is still more to be done. Many institutions fall short of their enrolment and academic performance thresholds and fail to retire their funds appropriately. Some institutions cannot properly account for the funds allocated to them, while some underutilise the funds given to them by the agency. When such funds are not utilised or under-utilised, it is difficult to retrieve them, and this poses a big problem for the agency. Such developments undermine the mission and vision of the agency, smearing its reputation before the public.
We call for accountability in the management of TETFund. Institutions should not abandon ongoing projects based on flimsy excuses, especially blaming past administrations. This is unacceptable. Let the probe of vice-chancellors over alleged misuse of TETFund allocations be thorough and fair to all the parties concerned. At the same time, its outcome must be made public. We also warn that this matter should not be swept under the carpet.
