The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has described the “Nigerian Tax Bill 2024” before the National Assembly, as a dangerous policy and a last blow to break the backbone of Tertiary Education in Nigeria, which TETFUND has sustained over the years.
Addressing Newsmen at the end of a meeting of ASUU Executives Calabar Zone in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the body condemned the abrogation of what they described as “live-wire” of tertiary institutions in Nigeria by allowing a zero allocation to TETFUND by the year 2030.
The Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Happiness Uduk, who addressed Journalists noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND is the major source of funding in public tertiary institutions and has been essential for the improvement and maintenance of standards in the higher educational institutions.
The Calabar zone of ASUU also expressed worry over what they described as a “dangerous trend and unpatriotic proposed new tax regime” where Education tax, called development levy, used to bankroll TETFUND’s programmes will now be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“ASUU notes with serious concern Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024 which specifically states that only 50% of the Development Levy would be made available to TETFund in 2025 and 2026 while NITDA, NISENI, and NELFUND would share the remaining percentage. TETFund will also receive 66% in 2027, 2028 and 2029 years of assessment” but “0% in 2030 year of assessment and thereafter”. The far-reaching consequence of the new tax system is that from 2030, all funds generated from the Development Levy would be passed to NELFUND, the Body pointed out.
The ASUU members therefore called on Governments, Stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFUND, describing it as an ill-wind that is pregnant with dire consequences.
“ASUU therefore is vehemently opposed to this and condemns the abrogation of the Live-wire of tertiary institutions in Nigeria by allowing a zero allocation to TETFund by 2030. we therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the National Assembly and all National Assembly members, State Governors, parents, students and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to reject the abrogation of TETFund as it is an ill-wind that is pregnant with dire consequences”, ASUU further noted.
The Union while reminding Government that TETFUND Act has not been repealed, made it clear that taking funds from the Education Tax (Development levy) to fund other agencies not provided in the Act is unlawful and in contravention of the extant laws of the land.
The membership of Calabar Zone of ASUU comprises 7 Universities including; Abia State University, ABSU; Akwa Ibom State University, AKSU; Ebonyi State University, EBSU; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, FUNAI; University of Calabar, UNICAL; University of Cross River State, UNICROSS; and University of Uyo, UNIUYO.
