The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the Federal Government’s proposed 2024 tax reform bill, describing it as a direct threat to Nigeria’s public tertiary education system. The union criticized the bill’s Section 59(3), which proposes cutting Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocations to redirect resources toward other initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Speaking at a press conference at the University of Port Harcourt on Tuesday, ASUU Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator, Stanley Ogoun, called on lawmakers to reject the provision, stating it undermines the purpose of TETFund. He accused the government of prioritizing ill-conceived policies over the survival of public education.
“The proposed section is designed to systematically reduce TETFund’s accruals, weakening its intervention in tertiary education,” Ogoun said. He warned that the union would resist what he called a “hostile takeover” of TETFund under the guise of reforms.
Ogoun criticized the government’s decision to fund NELFUND by diverting TETFund resources, arguing it lacked sustainability. “Instead of devising an innovative funding strategy, the planners chose an illegal route to siphon TETFund accruals,” he stated. He called on the government to disclose the source of the funds used to launch NELFUND and respect the legal framework establishing TETFund.
According to Ogoun, Section 59(3) proposes reducing TETFund’s allocation to 50% of development levies from 2025 to 2026, with the remainder going to NELFUND, NITDA, and NASENI. By 2030, TETFund would receive no allocation. He described this plan as a “crippling policy” that would devastate tertiary education across the country.
ASUU also accused the government of copying unsuitable policies from developed nations without considering Nigeria’s unique challenges. “This policy reflects a lack of creative and citizen-driven solutions,” Ogoun remarked.
The press conference drew attendance from ASUU leaders across the Port Harcourt zone, including representatives from Rivers State University, Bayelsa Medical University, and Niger Delta University. They expressed collective opposition to the proposed reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to defending public education.
ASUU called on the National Assembly to stand with Nigerians by rejecting the bill’s anti-education provisions. The union emphasized that sustainable funding for education remains critical to national development.
This development follows ongoing debates over education financing in Nigeria, with stakeholders urging the government to prioritize equitable and innovative solutions.
