The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has called for ASUU’s reinstatement on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) board and the creation of independent monitoring committee to oversee projects.

Speaking at a public hearing on proposed amendments to the TETFUND Act (2011) in Abuja, he urged the National Assembly to shield TETFUND from tax reforms that could threaten its operations, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

TETFUND Executive Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, condemned the indiscriminate establishment of tertiary institutions without proper funding plans, particularly by state governments relying solely on TETFUND.

To ensure fair allocation, he stated that only one university, one polytechnic, and one college of education per state could access funds annually, urging lawmakers to prioritize expanding existing institutions over creating new ones.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, reaffirmed the House’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing public funds.

Represented by House Leader Hon Julius Ihonvbere, he acknowledged TETFUND’s achievements in infrastructure and academic staff development but noted legal gaps affecting its efficiency. He raised concerns over institutions’ over-reliance on the fund and ambiguities in withdrawals and taxable profit assessments, stating that the proposed amendments would enhance oversight and accountability.

House Committee Chair on TETFUND, Hon. Mariam Onuoha, explained that the bill, sponsored by the Speaker, seeks to address poor project implementation and transparency issues. She also emphasized the need to exclude TETFUND from tax reforms that could impact its operations.