By Our Reporter, Abuja
The National Association of University Students, (NAUS) is the Apex body saddled with the responsibility of making premier decisions and protecting the interest of all Nigerian students studying in Universities with over 40 million members in Nigeria and in diaspora.
NAUS is an affiliate of the International Union of Students (IUS), All Africa Students Union (AASU), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), West African Students Union (WASU), European Students Union (ESU) and other international students Union organizations.
The Nigerians students through their leader has enlist some problems affecting the campuses which include: Poor welfare conditions, decayed infrastructure, lack of consumables for laboratory practicals, inadequate amenities and convenience, lack of recreational facilities, inadequate offices and furniture, poor hostels, abandoned building and other projects among others things.
According to him, over the years, most of the Universities have been reduced to the same level with vocational centres due to lack of infrastructure and amenities.
There was tremendous increments of tuition fees, acceptance fees and other unrecognized fees over the years in the public universities, which he however, described the development as barbaric and disheartening.
These above mentioned problems have led to high rate of school drop out and recruitment of hooligans in the society.
“When we confronted them with the fact that we are aware of the recent N208 billion approved for tertiary institutions of which each University is to get about 800 billion, and asked what they did with it, they claimed they have not been given a dine.”
We immediately requested for a courtesy visit with Professor Suleiman Bagoro TETFUND led administration to discuss some issues bothering Nigerian University Students on adequate analysis of how N208 billion disbursed to State and Federal Universities was spent, no positive responds after several efforts and believed they are both part of the conspiracy”.
While marching their words with action, the NAUS issued Seven days ultimatum to TETFUND on February 10, 2020 to either explain how the money was utilized or face mass action but failed to comply with our demands.”
After thorough appeal to see that they effect change failed hence the peaceful protest, where NAUS members across the country converged at TETFUND Complex, maitama on February 20, 2020 for a peaceful protest to press home their demands.
During the protest the leadership of NAUS ably led by Comrade Felix Ijegalu, was ushered in by some TETFUND staff for an official meeting.
Speaking further on abandoned TETFUND projects in Nigeria institution, Arc. Wogbo Uche, who introduced himself as the director of public affairs, said that the funds released to public universities are usually released in three tiers, and that the following tier is given after proper justification of the first tier.
He went further to say that some abandoned projects in our institutions are as a result of some institutions failing to justified the first or second tiers of Money disbursed to them for a particular project
The agency further stressed that they have agreed to intervene and sponsor building of hostels on campuses to add to the CBN intervention.
While expressing their grievances, the Executive Secretary, Professor Suleiman represented by the director of public Affairs, Mr Wogbo Uche asserted that the whooping sum of N208 billion we have been agitating for has been approved by the Federal government but yet to be allocated to the body for direct disbursement.
On conclusion of the meeting with the students urging the representatives to build a bond with NAUS so they can work in synergy for the betterment of higher institutions. They further restates their commitment for more findings and as well revisit the agency for onward actions.
