The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Owerri Zone has decried alleged plan to abolish the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, during a zonal press conference, held at the ASUU-UNIZIK Conference Hall in Awka, Anambra State.
ASUU emphasised the need to reject provision of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 that aim to abolish the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as it threatens the survival of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
Addressing the media, Professor Dennis Aribodor, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Owerri Zone, flanked by other executives, called on key legislative figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to consider the grave implications of dismantling the TETFund.
ASUU Owerri Zone encompasses several universities, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Anambra State, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Imo State University Owerri, Imo State, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Aribodor noted that this diverse representation stresses the widespread concern regarding the proposed changes to education funding.
“Historically, the 1980s marked a tumultuous era for Nigerian universities, characterized by economic downturns and the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) under the Babangida administration. The resulting cuts to public spending severely impacted educational institutions, prompting ASUU to advocate for improved funding, institutional autonomy, and better lecturer welfare through strikes and negotiations.
“ASUU played a vital role in the establishment of the Education Tax Fund (ETF), which evolved into TETFund after the ETF Act was repealed and replaced in 2011. This transition aimed to resolve the ETF’s inability to adequately support all levels of public education. TETFund has since become instrumental in channeling resources for the development of infrastructure, research, and teaching facilities in tertiary institutions across the country.
“Currently, TETFund supports 244 public tertiary institutions in Nigeria, emphasizing a critical distribution ratio among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. As a result, many public institutions have come to rely on TETFund for their operational and developmental needs.”
ASUU Owerri Zone expressed deep concern over the ongoing discussions surrounding the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, specifically the proposed abrogation of the Education Tax, which has historically funded TETFund’s programs. The Union is particularly alarmed by Section 59(3) of the bill, which indicates a significant reduction in funds available to TETFund and a complete cessation of funding by 2030.
This alarming shift poses a threat not only to the longevity of TETFund but also to the overall quality and accessibility of public education in Nigeria,” said Professor Aribodor. He pointed out that the current budget allocation of 7% for education falls short of the 15% pledged by the ruling party and the 20% recommended by UNESCO.
ASUU Owerri Zone contends that the new tax regime is detrimental to national development, arguing that diverting funds from TETFund to a nascent agency like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund is misguided. The Union believes that such measures will undermine the progress made in public higher education over the past decades.
“The implication of halting TETFund’s funding would be catastrophic for Nigeria’s educational landscape,” Professor Aribodor warned.
He reiterated that TETFund has been a cornerstone of infrastructural development, research capacity building, and staff development, thus enhancing the quality of education across the nation.
ASUU Owerri Zone has vowed to resist any efforts that threaten the existence of TETFund, which symbolizes the Union’s commitment to constructive engagement with the government. The Union urges all educational stakeholders, particularly the National Assembly, to take immediate action to safeguard TETFund from abrogation under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and to protect the future of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
Comments are closed.