The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced the constitution of an independent committee to undertake an assessment, verification and monitoring of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) across Nigeria.

The student body said the move became necessary following persistent complaints from stakeholders about the implementation and impact of TETFund-funded projects, despite the huge financial investments made by the Federal Government to improve the quality of tertiary education.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising the education sector through TETFund interventions, describing the agency as a critical driver of infrastructure and academic development in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

According to the association, billions of naira have been invested over the years in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country for the construction of lecture theatres, hostels, laboratories, libraries and other academic facilities. The interventions, it said,  have also supported research, staff development, capacity building and other initiatives aimed at improving teaching, learning and innovation.

However, NANS noted that despite these significant investments, concerns have continued to emerge regarding the actual utilization and impact of many of the projects.

The association expressed particular concern over recurring allegations of project abandonment, delayed completion, poor workmanship, substandard execution and other questionable practices reportedly associated with some contractors handling TETFund projects in beneficiary institutions.

According to NANS, the allegations have generated widespread public concern and raised questions about whether the interventions are delivering the expected value to students and the broader education system.

“The concerns surrounding the implementation of TETFund projects have become too significant to ignore. There is a need for an independent assessment to establish the true state of these interventions and determine whether the objectives for which public funds were allocated are being achieved,” the statement said.

To address the situation, the association announced the establishment of an Independent TETFund Intervention Project Assessment, Verification and Monitoring Committee.

The committee is chaired by Salahudeen Lukman, while Okereke Bishop, Dominic Philip AVM, Odiahi Ikhine, Wande Ajayi and Ibrahim Ibrahim will serve as members, with Gambo Abubakar as Secretary.

Afeez mandated the panel to embark on a comprehensive nationwide tour of tertiary institutions to inspect projects funded through TETFund interventions. Its terms of reference include assessing the level of project implementation, verifying the utilization of completed facilities, evaluating the quality of delivery and determining the overall impact of the interventions on students and host institutions.

The NANS President said the exercise is intended to complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector by promoting accountability, transparency and effective project delivery.

While giving the committee 90 days to complete its assignment, the association explained that the panel would independently engage stakeholders within tertiary institutions, gather evidence from project sites and compile findings that would provide a clearer picture of the effectiveness of TETFund interventions across the country.

According to him, the report will contain findings, observations and recommendations that will guide its future actions regarding TETFund projects and interventions.

He further disclosed that the committee’s recommendations would be forwarded to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund and other relevant government agencies for necessary action.

The association called on vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, student leaders, TETFund officials, contractors and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with the committee in carrying out its assignment.

The statement expressed optimism that the exercise would strengthen accountability in the management of education intervention funds and ensure that projects funded with public resources deliver meaningful benefits to students and institutions