Outgoing Al-Hikmah VC, Prof. Noah Yusuf, Calls for TETFund Access for Private Universities, Cites Five Years of Transformative Achievements…Urges National Assembly to Amend TETFund Act as He Bows Out After Historic Tenure

As his five-year tenure comes to a close, Professor Noah Yusuf, outgoing Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, is leaving behind more than just a legacy of institutional transformation — he is also championing a bold national reform that could reshape the future of Nigerian higher education.

Speaking in Ilorin on Monday, Prof. Yusuf made a compelling appeal to the National Assembly to amend the Act establishing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to include private universities as beneficiaries.

“TETFund is funded through levies on private-sector companies, yet its benefits are restricted to public universities,” the professor observed. “Private institutions also contribute immensely to national education and should be supported to do even more.”

Prof. Yusuf’s argument is clear: private universities are helping to absorb Nigeria’s growing student population and easing the burden on overstretched public institutions. Yet, despite their growing role, they are denied access to crucial government funding for research, infrastructure, and academic development — funding drawn from private-sector taxes that they help generate.

“Private institutions can achieve more in infrastructure, research, and learning if given access to TETFund,” he asserted, calling on lawmakers to champion a more inclusive and equitable education financing framework.

When Prof. Yusuf assumed office in July 2020, Al-Hikmah University was, in his words, “virtually at a standstill.” Fast forward to 2025, and the story is one of resurgence, innovation, and resilience.

Highlights of Prof. Yusuf’s Tenure Include:

• Full Accreditation: All academic programmes secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
• Improved Security: All three campuses — Igbaja, Adeta, and Atere — are now fully fenced, boosting safety.
• Infrastructural Growth: Hostels were constructed at Atere campus with support from former Governor Aminu Masari; four farmhouses established at Igbaja; a modern gym and recreational centre built at Adeta.
• Academic and Staff Development: Introduction of inaugural lectures, annual reports, hybrid learning models, and international school links. Over 40% of staff received financial support or capacity-building training.
• Student Growth: Improved facilities and reputation led to a surge in student enrollment.
• Top Rankings: Al-Hikmah University now ranks first among private universities in Kwara State, second overall in the state, and third among private universities nationwide.

Even with these achievements, Prof. Yusuf expressed regret that a proposed ₦7 million university printing press could not be completed due to “certain circumstances.”

Perhaps one of the most visionary initiatives under his leadership is the tuition-free agricultural programme at the Igbaja campus. “We deliberately made it tuition-free to empower young Nigerians to feed the nation,” he said.

Prof. Yusuf wrapped up his tenure with a heartfelt call to the university and national policymakers:

“Blend faith and scholarship as a model of holistic education. Expand funding access. Deepen impact on national development.”

He expressed optimism that the gains made during his administration would be sustained, saying, “We were able to rescue and restore the university. My hope is that the journey of progress continues.”

His parting message — and his rallying cry for TETFund inclusion of private universities — may well mark the start of a crucial national conversation about fairness, reform, and the future of tertiary education in Nigeria.