ASUU Opposes TETFund Abolition, urge Nigerians to Reject Tax Bills

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep concern over the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which ASUU argues would severely undermine public universities, potentially reducing them to mere secondary institutions.

In a recent media briefing in Makurdi, Zonal Coordinator Raphael Amokaha articulated the union's position, highlighting alarming provisions within the bill.

Specifically, he pointed to Section 59(3), which stipulates that TETFund's allocation from the education tax will be halved to 50% in 2025 and 2026, with a complete cessation of funding by 2030. This change is set to divert resources to the newly proposed Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which Amokaha criticized for benefiting only a select few students.

Amokaha emphasized that TETFund was established through significant advocacy from ASUU and has played a crucial role in enhancing Nigeria's tertiary education infrastructure. He noted that more than half of the undergraduate population relies on public universities.

The union's leadership underscored the importance of TETFund in maintaining and developing university facilities, asserting that without its support, many institutions would struggle to function effectively.

Amokaha pointed out that around 80% of university buildings bear the TETFund logo, indicating their construction or renovation through this fund.

ASUU has called on lawmakers and concerned citizens to reject any provisions of the bill that threaten TETFund’s existence. The union argues that dismantling this agency would not only harm educational infrastructure but also place an undue financial burden on students, potentially leading to increased tuition fees and greater reliance on loans.