Reps consider inter-varsity centres as beneficiaries of TETFund’s financial support

The House of Representatives is considering the inclusion of inter–university centres as beneficiaries of the financial assistance provided through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for improved training and research.

The House announced this as it passed for the second reading a Bill seeking to include the centres sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight other lawmakers, including Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara).

The inter-university centres include National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja; National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State; Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, Lagos State; and National Arabic Language Village, Ngala, Borno State.

Shagaya led the debate on the general principles of the Bill and what it aims to achieve.

The lawmaker recalled that TETFund was established under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, Number 16 of 2011 to provide supplementary support for the general development of public tertiary institutions across the federation.

He added: “Inter-university 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.

“The Bill proposes following key amendments to the Principal Act – (a) Amendment of section 4 which provides for the recognition of inter-university 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 inter-university 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.”