Published January 15, 2025
By Salejo Kano
The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed Tax Reform Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
In a media briefing in Kano, the Zonal Coordinator, Abdulqadir Muhammad, expressed concern over the bill’s potential impact on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The Union views the proposed reform as a deliberate attempt to weaken or abolish TETFund, replacing it with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He said Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 outlines a reduction in TETFund’s share of the Development Levy. The provision states:
“TETFund will receive only 50% of the Development Levy in 2025 and 2026. The allocation increases to 66.67% for 2027–2029”.
“By 2030, TETFund’s allocation will drop to 0%, with funds redirected to other agencies, including NITDA, NASENI, and NELFUND”.
The union highlighted TETFund’s significant contributions, including, Financing physical infrastructure, library development, and research in public tertiary institutions. Supporting staff training and development, conference attendance, and manuscript production.
Muhammad argued that abolishing TETFund would reverse the progress made in improving Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
He stated this would undermine efforts to align Nigerian universities with global standards.
The Kano Zone has called on the National Assembly and the National Economic Council (NEC) to exercise their constitutional powers to stop the bill from being enacted.
The union urged Nigerians and stakeholders to demand the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
The Union in Kano Zone labeled the move to abrogate the TETFund Act 2011 as “unpopular, anti-poor, unpatriotic, and destructive” to the survival of public tertiary education in Nigeria. The union reiterated its commitment to protecting the gains achieved in the education sector through TETFund interventions.
The Newspointer is among Nigeria’s leading online news and information delivery. Conveying fresh, factual and reliable news from our Abuja & Jalingo headquarters.
Whether you turn to the Newspointer for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.
Contact: editor@ishakudanzumi1@gmail.com
© 2024 The Newspointer.com.ng – All Rights Reserved.
STAY WITH NEWSPOINTER NIGERIA. YOUR NUMBER 1 FAVOURITE NEWS SOURCE. We are on X, Twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook.
Online Editor: Prince Hassan Ishaku, ishakudanzumi1@gmail.com
Tel: +2349043141414, +2347071144444.
