By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
The National Association of Nigerian Students has inaugurated an independent nationwide committee to assess the implementation of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The student body said the initiative was prompted by concerns over the execution, completion and impact of TETFund-supported projects in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NANS said the newly established Independent TETFund Intervention Project Assessment, Verification and Monitoring Committee would undertake a comprehensive review of ongoing and completed projects funded through the intervention agency.
According to the association, the committee will evaluate project implementation, assess compliance with expected standards and determine the impact of the projects on teaching, learning, research and institutional development.
The exercise is expected to cover tertiary institutions across the country, with committee members engaging students, institutional administrators, contractors and other stakeholders during the assessment process.
NANS said the committee has been given 90 days to complete its assignment and submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations.
The association added that the report would guide its future engagements on education sector development and would also be shared with relevant government authorities, including the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to NANS, the initiative is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and effective utilization of public resources allocated to tertiary education development.
“The report shall guide the leadership of NANS on the next line of action towards establishing the true state of TETFund intervention impacts on Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” the association stated.
The committee is chaired by Comrade Salahudeen A. Lukman, with Comrade Okereke Godson Bishop, Dominic Philip AVM, Odiahi Thomas Ikhine, Wande T. Ajayi and Ibrahim A. Ibrahim serving as members. Gambo Abubakar will serve as secretary.
National President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the exercise aligns with efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure that intervention funds achieve their intended objectives.
He called on tertiary institutions, student leaders, TETFund officials, contractors and other stakeholders to cooperate with the committee to facilitate a credible and transparent assessment process.
The development comes amid growing calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds dedicated to improving infrastructure and educational standards in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
