ASUU rejects inclusion of private universities in TETFund projects

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) affirmed on Wednesday that it will persist in taking industrial actions until the government addresses its demands. Additionally, the union expressed opposition to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s plan to extend project benefits to private universities in the country.

ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, conveyed the union’s stance during a two-day interactive session between TETFund and all beneficiary institutions’ unions. Osodeke emphasized that including private universities could lead to a proliferation of institutions lacking in quality.

While commending TETFund for its delivery, Osodeke urged the fund to enhance its project monitoring methods nationwide, noting disparities in performance despite receiving similar funding. He advocated for sanctions on non-performing institutions and urged for the abolition of what he referred to as the “stakeholders fund.”

Osodeke emphasized, “ASUU will continue to embark on a strike until the right thing is done in our tertiary institutions. Stakeholders fund should be abolished.”

In his welcome address, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, revealed that the interactive session aimed to proactively address challenges in the sub-sector and sustain growth and development in tertiary education. He stressed the importance of consistent engagement and collaboration to improve the situation collectively.

Echono highlighted the primary mandate of TETFund to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate tertiary education in Nigeria through funding and project management. The interactive session was intended to discuss and mitigate industrial disputes, fostering cooperation between the fund, beneficiary institutions, and unions for the growth of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, commended TETFund for its commitment to improving university education. He acknowledged the instrumental role of unions in tertiary institutions and their contribution to enhancing the academic and working experiences within campuses across the country.