The attention of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities has been drawn to a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on TETFUND directing all Nigerian-owned universities to stay in action on the implementation of the 2024 normal TETFUND intervention. The Directive further required all universities to submit drawings, designs and specifications, procurement, etc to the committee.

This committee is gravely concerned about this unprecedented directive given at a time when the universities are in various stages of procurement and the likely effect it will have on their budgetary implementation processes. It should be noted that the Governing Councils of the various state-owned universities are by Law empowered to award or approve the
award of contracts after due procurement processes and are doing so in exercise of the executive prerogative. With the greatest respect to the House Committee, we feel that their action is not only an encroachment on the autonomy of the universities but an infringement on the doctrine of the separation of powers which has the potential for conflict among
the tiers and branches of government.

The House Committee may wish to be respectfully reminded that the funds disbursed by TETFUND belong to the states and are subject to appropriation and exclusive oversight by the various states’ Houses of Assembly. Therefore, the directive even if valid, should not apply to the state-owned universities.

Furthermore, time is of the essence in executing these contracts, and with the upward trend in the dollar exchange rate with the resultant inflation, this could ultimately increase costs. While expressing its highest regards to the esteemed members of the House of Representatives and having no doubt that their actions are well-intentioned, this Committee is humbly calling on the House of Representatives on TETFUND to rescind this directive and allow for further consultations, if need be.

Signed
Suleiman Abubakar Mahdi
Secretary
For: Chairman