… “If we don’t address this now, there will be no universities left in the next six years”.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly criticised the slow pace at which universities are able to access allocated funds, warning that the stagnation of these resources is undermining the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking at a strategic meeting in Abuja on Monday, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke condemned the long-standing delays in utilising funds meant to enhance infrastructure and academic programs. “We have a lot of money that’s been sitting unused for years,” Osodeke said. “If we don’t address this now, there will be no universities left in the next six years. This is not just about money, it’s about the survival of our institutions.”
Osodeke’s remarks came amid discussions surrounding the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and its role in the development of public universities.
According to the union leader, several projects and programs are stalled due to the inability to access funds allocated under TETFund, which has seen a backlog accumulate over the past two decades. “Some universities have been unable to access funds from as far back as 10 years ago. This is unacceptable,” Osodeke said.
In response, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono acknowledged the challenge but pointed to efforts to streamline the process.
At the meeting, he pointed out the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to ensure better utilisation of resources. “We must all work together to ensure these funds are used effectively for the benefit of our institutions,” Echono said, adding that the recent increase in education tax from 2.5% to 3% would provide additional resources for TETFund’s mission.
However, Osodeke cautioned that even with increased funding, the failure to improve access to these funds could lead to disastrous consequences for the sector. “If these funds are not being used efficiently, then we are only setting ourselves up for failure,” he warned.
The union also raised concerns about proposed tax reforms, arguing that further reductions in funding for TETFund, particularly if the ongoing bills pass through the National Assembly, could have dire consequences for universities. “If we allow these changes, we will see a rapid decline in the quality of education in Nigeria,” Osodeke added.
