The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has inaugurated an Independent TETFund Intervention Project Assessment, Verification and Monitoring Committee to examine the execution and effectiveness of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in tertiary institutions nationwide.
The announcement was made by the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
Afeez explained that the move was prompted by increasing concerns over reports of abandoned projects, poor workmanship, delayed completion, substandard execution, and other irregularities linked to some TETFund-funded interventions in beneficiary institutions across the country.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s continued efforts to improve higher education through TETFund initiatives, NANS noted that substantial investments have been made over the years in infrastructure, academic facilities, research development, staff training, and other critical areas aimed at enhancing the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
According to the association, concerns raised by stakeholders and members of the public regarding the implementation and actual impact of these projects made an independent assessment necessary.
The statement noted that, in line with its role as the umbrella body representing Nigerian students and in support of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector, NANS deemed it necessary to establish the monitoring committee.
The committee has been tasked with carrying out a nationwide inspection of tertiary institutions to assess, verify, and monitor the status of TETFund intervention projects.
Its responsibilities will include evaluating project implementation, quality of execution, level of utilization, and the overall benefits of the projects to students and their institutions.
Afeez disclosed that the committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 90 days.
He added that the report would help the NANS leadership determine the next course of action and provide a clearer picture of the condition of TETFund-supported projects across the nation’s tertiary education system.
The association further stated that the committee’s recommendations would be forwarded to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other relevant stakeholders for appropriate action.
The committee will be led by Comrade Salahudeen Lukman as chairman. Other members include Comrade Okereke Godson Bishop, Dominic Philip, Odiahi Thomas Ikhine, Wande Ajayi, and Ibrahim Ibrahim, while Gambo Abubakar will serve as secretary.
NANS also urged tertiary institutions, student leaders, TETFund officials, contractors, and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with the committee throughout the exercise.
The association expressed confidence that the initiative would promote greater transparency, accountability, and improved project delivery within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
