
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reiterated its firm opposition to the proposed Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, warning that its implementation will have devastating consequences for public universities across the country.
Speaking during a press conference in Jos on Thursday, the Bauchi Zone of ASUU, which includes six universities, led by Zonal Coordinator Professor Namo Timothy, raised concerns over the bill’s potential impact.
The union stressed that the proposed legislation seeks to replace the Development Levy, a vital source of funding for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Professor Timothy explained, “ASUU Bauchi Zone, which comprises Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University, Kashere; Gombe State University, Gombe; Plateau State University, Bokkos; University of Jos, Jos; and Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi, has observed with concern the ongoing public debate on the review of the tax system under the proposed Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, currently before the National Assembly.”
He further noted, “The bill proposes to abrogate the Education Tax and replace it with NELFUND. If enacted, all funds generated from the Education Tax will be diverted to NELFUND, effectively cutting off TETFund from its primary source of revenue. This is dangerous and unpatriotic.”
The ASUU leader highlighted specific provisions of the bill, stating, “Section 59 (3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 stipulates that only 50% of the total collection from the Development Levy will go to TETFund in 2025 and 2026.
“The remaining will be distributed among the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and NELFUND. By 2030, TETFund will receive no allocation, with all funds directed solely to NELFUND.”
Professor Timothy emphasized the potential repercussions, warning, “This portends danger for the survival of TETFund and, consequently, the Nigerian tertiary education system. Since 1993, TETFund has been instrumental in supporting infrastructural development, postgraduate training, research, and capacity-building in public tertiary institutions. Removing its funding will cripple these efforts.”
ASUU has called on the National Assembly to halt further debate on the bill and safeguard the TETFund Act 2011. The union also urged Nigerians to stand against what they describe as anti-people policies of the current administration.-
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