NANS Takes on TETFund: Nationwide Audit Launched to Investigate Project Delivery

In a move aimed at addressing growing concerns over the quality and completion of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the National Association of Nigerian Students has embarked on a 90-day nationwide review of TETFund interventions. This decision was made following persistent complaints from students and other stakeholders about the poor execution and delayed delivery of projects in tertiary institutions across the country. According to NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, the student body has constituted an independent committee to assess the implementation and impact of TETFund projects. The committee, which is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 90 days, will evaluate the level of implementation, utilisation, quality of delivery, and overall impact of these projects on students and host institutions. The exercise is also intended to support ongoing efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to tertiary education. TETFund was established by the Federal Government to provide supplementary funding for public tertiary institutions through revenues generated from the education tax. Over the years, the agency has financed the construction of lecture theatres, laboratories, hostels, and other infrastructure, as well as research grants, academic staff development, and institutional capacity-building programmes. However, concerns about abandoned projects, cost overruns, delays, and quality of execution have continued to attract criticism from education stakeholders, prompting calls for stronger oversight and monitoring of intervention projects. The committee, chaired by Salahudeen A. Lukman, will embark on a nationwide tour of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to independently verify the status of TETFund projects. NANS has urged tertiary institutions, TETFund officials, contractors, and student leaders to cooperate with the committee to ensure a credible assessment process. The report from the committee will guide NANS' engagement with relevant authorities and will be forwarded to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders for necessary action.