The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for the immediate utilization of unspent funds allocated to tertiary education in Nigeria. ASUU warned that the continued stagnation of these funds could hinder the growth and advancement of the country’s universities.
This appeal comes after the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) held a strategic meeting with heads of beneficiary institutions in Abuja. TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Sonny Echono, highlighted the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to optimize the performance of tertiary institutions and improve education quality. Echono also noted that the recent increase in the education tax from 2.5% to 3% would enable TETFund to have a greater impact on infrastructure, academic programs, and student accessibility.
Echono explained that TETFund’s role is to empower Nigeria’s human capital, addressing the need for skilled professionals across various sectors. He emphasized the importance of university leaders engaging with the Fund’s priorities to drive improvements in the education sector.
However, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke expressed concerns over proposed changes to TETFund’s tax policies, warning that such changes could severely affect university funding. He stressed that university leaders must actively advocate for their institutions and ensure that these changes do not pass, as they could negatively impact the future of Nigeria’s education system.
Peoplesmind
