The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Lagos has criticized the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for failing to recognize the Lagos State University (LASU) chapter led by Prof. Ibrahim Bakare. This ruling, delivered by Justice Sanda Yelwa, stems from a legal case filed by Bakare and seven others against ASUU and three additional parties. The case, marked NICN/318/2020, contested ASUU’s decision to maintain recognition of the previous LASU ASUU executive after their tenure ended and the directive to other chapters not to acknowledge Bakare’s leadership. Court Declares ASUU’s Actions Unlawful Justice Yelwa declared that ASUU’s actions—barring the claimants from engaging in academic activities like sabbatical leaves, part-time lecturing, external assessments, conferences, and collaborations—were illegal and violated their academic freedom. The judge highlighted the following key points in the ruling: Justice Yelwa further emphasized that ASUU’s actions were unconstitutional and violated the rights guaranteed to the claimants under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Permanent Injunctions Issued The court issued the following directives: Justice Yelwa concluded by stating, “Judgment is entered accordingly.” Prof. Bakare Welcomes the Judgment In response, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare described the court’s decision as a resolution to an internal family matter. He expressed readiness to work collaboratively with ASUU’s national leadership, ensuring the smooth operation of the LASU chapter. This landmark ruling reinforces the principles of academic freedom and autonomy within Nigerian universities, setting a precedent for how internal disputes in academic unions should be handled. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Explore why stakeholders are opposing the Nigeria Tax Reform Bill 2024 provisions that threaten to phase out TETFund, a critical lifeline for public tertiary institutions. The proposed Nigeria Tax Reform Bills 2024 are currently under review by the National Assembly, sparking debates about their potential impact on tertiary education funding. These bills include: Their primary aim is to consolidate taxation frameworks and enhance revenue collection systems. However, Part X of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 has raised concerns among stakeholders, particularly regarding its treatment of the Development Levy, which is funded by taxes on corporate profits. This levy directly supports various educational and developmental agencies, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). How TETFund and Other Institutions Are Affected Under the proposed NTB 2024, the Development Levy will be distributed among four institutions: The distribution structure for the levy is as follows: This phased removal of TETFund’s funding has drawn widespread criticism from lecturers, parents, and education advocates, who argue that it threatens the future of public tertiary education in Nigeria. Concerns from Stakeholders Parents’ Perspective The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), represented by its National President, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, warns that eliminating TETFund will lead to a spike in tuition fees at public universities. Institutions will struggle to fund capital projects and may shift the burden onto students and parents through increased charges. “If there is no TETFund, institutions will rely on internally generated revenue, ultimately taxing students and parents,” Danjuma cautioned. ASUU’s Standpoint The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strongly opposes the proposal to phase out TETFund. According to ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke: “Without TETFund, many public institutions would collapse due to a lack of basic facilities. We urge the government to reconsider this plan,” Prof. Osodeke stated. Adverse Effects Highlighted by ASUU Lagos Zonal Coordinator Prof. Adelaja Odukoya emphasized that replacing TETFund with NELFund promotes a culture of student debt, similar to systems in countries like the United States. He argued that this model could: “TETFund directly improves institutions and communities by raising the quality of education. Its elimination would undermine these efforts,” Adelaja noted. Why TETFund Must Be Preserved TETFund has played a vital role in sustaining public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The majority of modern infrastructure and facilities on campuses have been funded through TETFund allocations. Stakeholders argue that its removal will: Call to Action Stakeholders, including parents, lecturers, and education advocates, are urging the federal government to reconsider the NTB 2024 provisions that phase out TETFund. Preserving TETFund is critical to maintaining equitable access to quality education and ensuring the sustainability of public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
