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ASUU Warns Against Abolishing TETFund, Says It’s A Threat To Tertiary Education

Published

10 months ago

January 13, 2025

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over alleged plans to abolish the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), warning that such a move would pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

ASUU, however, called for increased financial support to TETFund to enhance universities and curb the growing trend of Nigerian students seeking education abroad.

This position was made clear by ASUU’s Calabar zone during its zonal conference in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Monday.

The zone comprises seven public universities across Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, including Abia State University (ABSU), Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), and University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

The union strongly criticized a component of the proposed Nigerian Tax Bill, currently before the National Assembly, which seeks to abolish TETFund by ceasing its funding from 2030.

They described the plan as a dangerous policy that could dismantle the backbone of tertiary education in Nigeria, which TETFund has sustained over the years.

In a statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Happiness Uduk, ASUU labelled the move to end TETFund allocations as unpatriotic.

The union argued that TETFund has been the primary source of funding for public tertiary institutions, essential for improving infrastructure and maintaining standards.

The statement further condemned the proposed redirection of the education tax, currently supporting TETFund’s programs, to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

ASUU described this as a misguided shift that prioritizes loans over critical infrastructure development in the education sector.

“ASUU notes with serious concern Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024, which specifically states that only 50% of the Development Levy would be made available to TETFund in 2025 and 2026 while NITDA, NISENI, and NELFUND would share the remaining percentage,” the Union said.

ASUU, therefore, called on governments, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFund, describing the move as an ill wind with dire consequences.

The university teachers’ union further noted that the TETFund Act has not been repealed and that taking funds from the Education Tax (Development levy) to fund other agencies not provided for in the Act is unlawful and contravenes the extant laws of the land.

“ASUU, therefore, is vehemently opposed to this and condemns the abrogation of the live-wire of tertiary institutions in Nigeria by allowing a zero allocation to TETFund by 2030.”

“We, therefore, call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the National House of Assembly, and all National Assembly members, State Governors, parents, students, and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFund as it is an ill wind that is pregnant with dire consequences,” ASUU said.

The union also faulted the creation of NELFUND to provide student loans in millions of Naira in a country where the State Governors have not agreed to pay a minimum wage of N70,000.00.

“This is a calamity that will lead to very unpleasant outcomes when students graduate and are not provided with well-paid jobs that can guarantee repayment.

“It spells doom as students may be forced to use the so-called education loan to fund universities through outrageous fees and levies,” they said.

The union further noted that the impact and interventions of TETFund, even with the vested interests, are the reasons tertiary institutions have not lost their glory like the public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, propose that henceforth, only academics should be appointed to the Executive Secretary position of TETFund so that the Executive Secretary can easily connect with the dreams and aspirations of tertiary institutions with a clear vision and mission,” the union added.

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Tinubu Orders Defence Minister To Relocate To Kebbi State Over Abduction Of 25 School Girls

Published

2 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4am on Monday.

Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

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Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments

Published

2 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.

Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC

Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.

He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.

“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.

“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.

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Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

Published

3 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.

Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC

He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.

“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”

The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.

“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.

Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”

Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”