TETFund: COPSUN Decries Reps’ Alleged Encroachment on Varsity Autonomy

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Committee of Pro-chancellors of State-owned Universities (COPSUN) has accused the House of Representatives of encroachment on university autonomy over its directive to suspend the implementation of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions.

The committee said it was also an infringement on the doctrine of the separation of powers which has the potential for conflict among the tiers and branches of government.

It reminded the House 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.

In a statement signed by the Secretary on behalf of the Chairman, Suleiman Abubakar Mahdi, it stated that the directive, even if valid, should not apply to the state-owned universities.

He added that time is of the essence in executing proposed contracts in the institutions, and with the upward trend in the dollar exchange rate with the resultant inflation, this could ultimately increase costs.

“The attention of the above committee has been drawn to a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on TETfund directing all Nigerian-owned universities to stay in action on the implementation of the 2024 normal TETfund intervention.

“The directive further required all universities to submit drawings, designs and specifications, procurement, etc to the committee.

“It should be noted that the Governing Councils of the various state-owned universities are by Law empowered to award or approve the award of contracts after due procurement processes and are doing so in exercise of the executive prerogative.

“With the greatest respect to the House Committee, we feel that their action is not only an encroachment on the autonomy of the universities but an infringement on the doctrine of the separation of powers which has the potential for conflict among the tiers and branches of government,” the committee said.

It reminded the lawmakers 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.

“Therefore, the directive even if valid, should not apply to the state-owned universities,” it reiterated

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