Nigerian students celebrating the recent Federal Government student loan program may face disappointment as public universities consider raising tuition fees, following proposed cuts to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). According to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, at a TETFund event in Abuja, there are fears that the cuts could undermine educational progress and accessibility.

Prof. Osodeke warned that a bill currently before the National Assembly could significantly reduce TETFund’s funding, which supports vital university infrastructure and academic development. Osodeke stressed that passing the bill would limit educational financing, further endangering Nigerian universities. “If this matter isn’t addressed, in six years, we may not have viable universities in Nigeria,” he cautioned, urging stakeholders to advocate against the proposed changes.

Students and educational stakeholders fear that reducing TETFund’s resources could drive up tuition costs, reversing gains from the new student loan program. National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Lucky Emonefe, voiced concerns that the cuts would diminish educational quality by impacting facilities, academic staff development, and access to higher education for students from lower-income backgrounds. “The move could deter students from accessing the student loan program,” he stated.

The TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, reported that an earlier increase in the Education Tax from 2.5 to 3 percent has bolstered infrastructure and research initiatives in Nigerian universities. He described TETFund’s role as essential in uplifting public universities, calling for further support. With the proposed cuts looming, the fate of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions and their students remains uncertain as the National Assembly considers the bill.