The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government against phasing out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in favor of the newly proposed Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), cautioning that such a move could severely harm Nigeria’s public university system.
In an interview on Thursday, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized the vital role TETFund has played in improving tertiary education in Nigeria for over three decades.
He stated, “Eliminating TETFund would devastate public universities and limit educational access for children from lower-income families.”
ASUU expressed concern that the proposed Tax Reform Bills under President Bola Tinubu’s administration could dilute TETFund’s funding by merging it with other agencies like NITDA and NASENI, and redirecting its resources to NELFUND.
The union criticized the government’s lack of consultation with stakeholders before drafting the legislation, describing it as an undemocratic move.
“TETFund is the result of our struggle as educators. The government cannot dismantle it without engaging those who understand its value,” Osodeke said.
Instead of using TETFund’s revenue for NELFUND, ASUU urged the government to seek alternative funding sources, such as a percentage of Value Added Tax (VAT), to support the new education loan initiative.
While ASUU is not opposed to NELFUND, Osodeke emphasized that the government must find new ways of financing it without dismantling an existing structure that has significantly benefited universities.
He pointed out that 90% of infrastructure in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are funded by TETFund.
ASUU also expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of NELFUND, which offers student loans, warning that such a scheme could burden students already struggling with rising tuition fees.
“Many students are dropping out due to high fees, and student loans will only further entrench inequality, making education a privilege instead of a right,” Osodeke cautioned.
The union urged the government to preserve TETFund’s legacy, which has inspired similar initiatives in other African countries, such as Ghana’s Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
“African nations are learning from TETFund. Scrapping it would be a backward step for Nigeria,” Osodeke argued, calling on the government to prioritize the funding of education in accordance with global standards.
ASUU warned that policies undermining public education could have dire consequences for the nation’s future and urged Nigerians to resist any attempts to weaken the education sector.
“This is not just about ASUU; it’s about the future of Nigeria’s education system and the opportunities it offers to millions of young people,” Osodeke concluded.
