By Christiana Akinola( SIWES student, Polytechnic Iresi)
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities has voiced its objection to the House of Representatives’ decision to halt TETFund’s 2024 intervention in Nigerian state-owned universities.
The National Assembly halted TETFund’s 2024 N683 billion intervention and requested universities to submit drawings, designs, specifications, and procurement details to the committee.
However, the committee’s Secretary, Suleiman Abubakar Mahdi, expressed concern about the directive in a statement on behalf of the committee’s chairman.
Mahdi stated that the House Committee’s action not only encroaches on the autonomy of the universities but also infringes on the doctrine of the separation of powers, potentially leading to conflicts among the different tiers and branches of government.
It is important to note that the Governing Councils of the various state-owned universities are legally empowered to award or approve the award of contracts after due procurement processes and are exercising this executive prerogative.
The statement further called on the House of Representatives Committee on TETFund to rescind the directive and allow for further consultations, if necessary.
The House Committee should 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.
