The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has raised serious concerns over the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms, describing them as a threat to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). In a statement signed by its National President, Smart Olugbeko, the union called the reforms a “dangerous ambush” that could undermine Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
The Role of TETFund in Nigerian Education:
TETFund was established to address the dire state of infrastructure and funding in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Before its inception, these institutions faced severe neglect, with infrastructure in disarray and no clear path for improvement. The fund, a product of academic staff union struggles, has become the backbone of public tertiary education, providing critical resources for:
– Infrastructure development
– Research funding
– Staff training and development
– Teaching and learning facilities
Without TETFund, many public tertiary institutions universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education would have collapsed.
The Threat of Tax Reforms:
Olugbeko expressed alarm at aspects of the proposed tax reforms that could stifle TETFund’s funding. He warned that such measures would force tertiary institutions to rely on private capital, turning them into profit-driven enterprises accessible only to the wealthy.
“Nigerian governments have consistently failed to allocate the recommended 26% of the annual budget to education, often contributing less than 9%. This policy negligence has already left public institutions struggling. Weakening TETFund’s financial base would only exacerbate this decline,” Olugbeko stated.
He emphasized that TETFund remains one of the best-managed government institutions, thanks to its innovative and resourceful leadership, which has efficiently supported public tertiary education despite the country’s widespread corruption.
A Call to Action:
COEASU urged the Federal Government to rethink its approach and expand revenue streams to sustain TETFund. The union called on all stakeholders, including students, parents, educators, and civil society organizations, to resist the reforms and protect public tertiary education.
“Destroying TETFund through tax reforms is an attack on public tertiary education,” Olugbeko said. “We suspect a calculated attempt by the political elite to dismantle public institutions in favor of their private ventures, just as they did with primary and secondary schools.”
COEASU emphasized the need for stronger, inclusive policies to ensure education remains accessible to all Nigerians, not just the privileged few.
The proposed tax reforms pose a significant threat to the future of public tertiary education in Nigeria. As stakeholders rally to safeguard TETFund’s critical role, the Federal Government must prioritize sustainable funding mechanisms for education over policies that could widen inequality and undermine national development.
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