TETFund:VCs Decry Reps' Encroachment onVarsity Autonomy

Say it's infringement on separation of powers

The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has accused the House of Representatives of encroachment on university autonomy over its directive to suspend the implementation of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions.

The vice chancellors noted that it was also an infringement on the doctrine of the separation of powers which they argued has the potential for conflict among the tiers and branches of government.

The committee reminded the House that the funds disbursed by TETFUND belong to the states and were subject to appropriation and exclusive oversight by the various states' Houses of Assembly.

In a statement signed by the Secretary on behalf of the Chairman, Suleiman Abubakar Mahdi, they stated that the directive, even if valid, should not apply to the state-owned universities.

He added that time was of the essence in executing proposed contracts in the institutions, and with the upward trend in the dollar exchange rate with the resultant inflation, this could ultimately increase costs.

The statement read in part: "The attention of the above Committee has been drawn to a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on TETFUND directing all Nigerianowned universities to stay in action on the implementation of the 2024 normal TETFUND intervention.

"The Directive further required all universities to submit drawings, designs and specifications, procurement, etc to the committee.

"It should be noted that the Governing Councils of the various state-owned universities are by Law empowered to award or approve the award of contracts after due procurement processes and are doing so in exercise of the executive prerogative.

"With the greatest respect to the House Committee, we feel that their action is not only an encroachment on the autonomy of the universities but an infringement on the doctrine of the separation of powers which has the potential for conflict among the tiers and branches of government.

"The House Committee may wish to be respectfully reminded that the funds disbursed by TETFUND belong to the states and are subject to appropriation and exclusive oversight by the various states' Houses of Assembly.

"Therefore, the directive even if valid, should not apply to the state-owned universities" he said.