The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commenced a 90-day nationwide assessment of projects executed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), amid rising concerns over abandoned, delayed and poorly executed interventions across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
As part of the exercise, the student body announced the formation of an Independent TETFund Intervention Project Assessment, Verification and Monitoring Committee to scrutinise the implementation, quality and impact of TETFund-funded projects in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, said the initiative followed repeated complaints from students about incomplete projects, substandard delivery and delayed execution in beneficiary institutions.
According to him, although the Federal Government has continued to invest heavily in tertiary education through TETFund interventions, questions persist over project compliance, execution standards and the actual benefit to students.
NANS said reports of abandoned projects, contractor delays, poor workmanship and irregular implementation had raised public concern about the effectiveness of the intervention scheme.
The association explained that the committee would tour institutions nationwide to independently verify the status of TETFund projects and assess their contribution to learning infrastructure, teaching quality and student welfare.
“The committee will assess implementation levels, project utilisation, quality of delivery and overall impact on students and institutions,” the statement noted.
It added that the exercise is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of public education funds.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 90 days, after which the report will be forwarded to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders for action.
NANS also urged universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, TETFund officials, contractors and student leaders to fully cooperate with the committee to ensure a credible and transparent review process.
TETFund, established by the Federal Government, provides supplementary funding for public tertiary institutions through education tax revenue, supporting infrastructure projects, research grants, staff development and institutional capacity building.