The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly opposed the move by the Nigerian government to abolish the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a key financier of public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This concern was raised by ASUU leaders during a press conference in Abuja, where they called for immediate action to safeguard this critical educational funding mechanism.
ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed deep worry over the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly, which he alleges are designed to systematically phase out TETFund. “This is not just about TETFund; it’s about the future of public education in Nigeria,” Osodeke stated, emphasizing that the abolition of TETFund would devastate the sector by cutting off a significant source of funding for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The controversy stems from two tax reform bills that, according to ASUU, aim to reduce the education tax from which TETFund draws its resources. The current system mandates that companies pay 2% of their assessable profits to TETFund, a fund that has been instrumental in the physical and academic development of tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The proposed bills suggest a reallocation of these funds, potentially diminishing TETFund’s capacity to support educational infrastructure, research, and staff development.
Osodeke argued that the bills were introduced without consultation with stakeholders in the education sector, including ASUU, Vice Chancellors, and Pro-Chancellors, which he deems a critical oversight. “You can’t make tax laws affecting education without engaging those who initiated and have been managing this fund for decades. This is not how to work in a democratic system,” he criticized.
The ASUU president also highlighted the historical significance of TETFund, noting its role in transforming Nigerian public universities. “For the last three decades, TETFund has been the backbone of our public tertiary institutions, supporting infrastructural development, postgraduate training, and research capacity building,” he explained, underscoring that its loss would push universities back into financial distress.
The union has urged Nigerians, particularly students, to speak out against this move, which they see as a threat to educational equity and quality. They have also called upon the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to reconsider the implications of these tax reforms on education.
The Federal Government has not yet responded to ASUU’s allegations. However, the debate over these tax bills has sparked significant discussion on social media platforms like X, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the potential impact on the nation’s education system.
ASUU’s stance has garnered support from various quarters, including other educational unions and civil society groups, who see TETFund as a vital component for maintaining and advancing educational standards in Nigeria. They argue that rather than abolishing TETFund, alternative methods should be sought to fund initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) without undermining existing educational support systems.
As this issue unfolds, the educational community and concerned citizens are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that preserves the integrity and functionality of TETFund while addressing the broader issues of funding in Nigerian tertiary education.
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