Inter-university centres that have been battling to be included in the series of intervention programmes of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, may soon smile, as the House of Representatives is considering a bill to make the centres beneficiaries of the Fund’s activities too.
A bill in that regard passed second reading in the House on Tuesday. It was titled, “”Bill for an Act to Amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, No.16, 2011 to Provide for the Inclusion of Inter–University Centres among beneficiaries of the Tax Imposed under the Act; and for Related Matters HB.1754,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and eight others.
The inter-university centres in the country are: the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja; National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State; Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, Lagos State; and National Arabic Language Village, Ngala, Borno State.
Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors, Hon. Tolani Shagaya recalled that TETFund was established under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, No.16 of 2011 to provide supplementary support for the general development of public tertiary institutions across the federation.
While acknowledging that the scheme has grown to make great impact on tertiary education in the country he, however, said that the Inter-University Centres, which are established by Acts of the National Assembly to serve all universities have been excluded from this support framework, despite the fact that they play a unique and indispensable role in advancing tertiary education across Nigeria.
He said, “InterUniversity Centres support the entire university ecosystem by offering centralised expertise, hosting advanced research, conducting nationwide language training, and enhancing academic cooperation across institutions. Yet, because they are not classified as traditional universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, they have been excluded from the funding streams that sustain similar tertiary institutions.
“This situation has placed the Inter-Universities Centres at a serious disadvantage — leaving them underfunded, under-equipped, and undervalued, despite their clear national mandate. This Bill seeks to correct that anomaly and to ensure that Inter-University Centres are recognised for their contributions and supported accordingly. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, the Bill proposes following key amendments to the Principal Act – (a) Amendment of section 4 which provides for the recognition of InterUniversity Centres under the Act; (b) Amendment of section 7 which provides for a new allocation/sharing ratio of 2:1:1:1 which will consequently provide for funding of the InterUniversity Centres (this ratio is could be further adjusted at the Committee Stage when inputs of stakeholders have been taken); and (c) Amendment of section 20 which provides for the interpretation and meaning of “Inter-University Centres”.
“This is a practical and inclusive amendment that ensures no vital academic institution is left behind. By providing for the recognition of Inter-University Centres as eligible beneficiaries of the tax imposed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, the Inter-University Centres would be reinforced, become stronger, and become more coherent structural support for the nation’s tertiary education system.”
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, put it to a voice vote and it was passed and referred to the Committee on TETFUND.
By Alade Adisa
