The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has received backing from the Federal Government to investigate vice chancellors of public universities accused of mismanaging Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocations.
ASUU raised concerns over weak supervision of vice chancellors in implementing TETFund projects, noting that some funds meant for institutional development have been misused. The union’s president, Chris Piwuna, said several universities continue to receive funds without proper accountability, particularly Centres of Excellence, many of which are underperforming.
Piwuna stated that ASUU would scrutinise vice chancellors to ensure all TETFund resources are properly managed and accounted for.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, expressed support for ASUU’s planned oversight, noting that several vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts manage their institutions like empires and need to be held accountable for the proper use of funds.
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TETFund, established under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011, supplements the funding of public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education through a two per cent education tax paid by registered companies. Its mandate includes financing infrastructure, instructional materials, equipment, research, and academic staff development to improve learning environments and academic quality.
Stakeholders, including ASUU, have over the years called for stronger oversight to ensure that TETFund allocations achieve their intended impact.