Nigerian VCs Resist Alleged Extortion Attempt by House Committee

Tensions are escalating between Nigerian vice chancellors and members of a House of Representatives committee, with the former gearing up to resist what they perceive as an extortion attempt.

The focal point of this clash is the recent approval of the N683 billion 2024 intervention fund by the federal government for publicly-owned tertiary institutions in the country.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) made the announcement on January 12, revealing a distribution plan with each university slated to receive N1.9 billion, polytechnics N1.1 billion, and colleges of education N1.3 billion. However, the House Committee on TETFUND, led by Miriam Onuoha, swiftly issued directives to halt the implementation of the intervention fund until institutions are given the green light by lawmakers.

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In a letter dated January 12, the House committee instructed the committees of vice chancellors, provosts of colleges of education, and rectors of polytechnics to submit comprehensive details of the implementation process, including project designs and specifications. Some vice chancellors are expressing concerns, alleging that the lawmakers’ intervention could be an attempt to influence lucrative contracts and potentially engage in corrupt practices.

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This brewing conflict underscores persisting challenges in Nigeria’s education sector, ranging from financial constraints to accusations of corruption within government entities. The vice chancellors’ readiness to resist suggests a growing determination to safeguard the integrity of the intervention fund and fend off potential exploitation. As the standoff unfolds, stakeholders watch closely to see how this clash will impact the nation’s higher education landscape.

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