A brewing conflict is emerging between vice-chancellors of public universities in Nigeria and members of the House of Representatives over what is perceived as a new extortion attempt related to the recently approved N683 billion 2024 intervention fund for the nation’s publicly-owned tertiary institutions.
The tension escalated shortly after the federal government’s announcement of the release of the intervention fund. The House Committee on TETFUND, chaired by Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo), sent letters dated 12 January to the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education, the Committee of Rectors of Polytechnics, and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. The letters directed these committees to suspend the implementation of the intervention fund until they receive clearance from lawmakers.
In the correspondence, officials were instructed to “stay action on the implementation process until submission and appearance before the committee is concluded.” The lawmakers further demanded the submission of “full implementation details, including but not limited to the drawings, designs, and specifications for all projects, procurement, and services as contained in your 2024 TETFUND Normal Intervention Allocation letter issued to your Institution.”
This development has set the stage for a potential showdown between the vice-chancellors and lawmakers as the higher education institutions navigate the complexities surrounding the utilization of the substantial 2024 intervention fund.