TETFund Act discriminatory, review it now, health institutions tell FG

The Chairman, Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Health Sciences and Technology in Nigeria, Dr. Johnson Bayo Ojo has called for the review of the law establishing Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to accommodate all tertiary institution in the country.

According to him, the current TETFUND Act is exclusive and discriminatory, adding that the law fell short of global best practices.

Ojo made the assertions at conferment of honorary doctorate degrees and award of excellence on some eminent personalities by American Heritage University of Southern California in Abuja.

Among the awardees were Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; founder, Shamies Unusual Hearts Foundation, Amb. Saratu Abdullahi, and Coordinator, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, Malam Adamu Saba, among others.

Ojo, who delivered a lecture on “Education Financing for Global Equity and Inclusion”, described Nigeria as one of the most defective countries in terms of giving special fund to institutions, stressing that colleges of health sciences and private universities should also be beneficiaries of TETFund interventions.

According to him, Nigeria needs an education system that acknowledges both public and private providers, including accountability mechanisms to strengthen service delivery among various stakeholders.

“Therefore, TETFUND Act should be reviewed in favour of all tertiary institutions and private institutions in the country, as is obtainable in China. The Federal Government’s revenue in which the money accrued to TETFUND is derived is not only generated by public institutions, but generated by Nigerians. Everyone is expected to enjoy the benefits of government equitably,” he said.

On the fears that extending such gesture to private institutions may lead to abuse of the process, he said regulatory agencies, such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) would serve as watchdog and check for such abuses.

Earlier in his remarks, President, Global Scholarship Trust, Dr. John Adeniyi, said the awardees reflected the values and history of the university as well as its philosophy, which, according to him, is to prepare graduates to be an asset to the community and be socially responsible, productive members of society.