The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has constituted an independent committee to assess, monitor and verify projects executed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The move, according to a statement signed by NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in the implementation of intervention projects in the education sector.
The student body said it has been observing with keen interest the federal government’s sustained intervention funding through TETFund, noting that billions of naira have been committed over the years to improve infrastructure, research, academic facilities and capacity building in tertiary institutions.
NANS said the investments were designed to enhance the quality of education for Nigerian students and strengthen the country’s tertiary education system.
However, the association expressed concern over what it described as recurring allegations surrounding the implementation of some of these projects.
It said concerns have continued to emerge from different quarters regarding project abandonment, poor execution, substandard delivery, delayed completion and alleged fraudulent practices by some contractors handling TETFund projects in beneficiary institutions.
“These concerns have generated widespread public outcry and raised critical questions about the actual impact of TETFund interventions on students and the educational system,” the statement said.
The newly constituted committee, NANS explained, is mandated to embark on a nationwide tour of tertiary institutions to assess, verify and monitor the status of TETFund intervention projects.
It will also evaluate the level of implementation, utilisation, quality of delivery and overall impact of the projects on students and host institutions.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 90 days, after which NANS said its leadership would determine its next line of action.
According to the association, the report will also be forwarded to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders for necessary action.
NANS disclosed that the committee will be chaired by Comrade Salahudeen Lukman, with Gambo Abubakar serving as secretary, alongside five other members.
