Some Nigerian students are calling for an investigation into the numerous projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) across tertiary institutions in the country.
This followed the decision of TETFund to investigate the execution and impact of projects funded by it in all tertiary institutions.
Executive Secretary of TET Fund, Suleiman Bogoro, had recently shown utter displeasure at the poor execution of funded projects in some institutions in the country, stressing that the board of the organization was set to engage forensic auditors and independent monitors to assess the impact of projects funded from 2011 -2019.
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But some Nigerian tertiary education students who spoke with THE WHISTLER are urging TET Fund to go beyond its own investigations and involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to the number of universities in the country lacking proper infrastructure.
A student at the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara state, who gave his name as Sunday said that some university managements and contractors could manipulate TET Fund auditor and hinder them from uncovering fraud.
He claimed that supervision of TET Fund projects are not strict and institutions only send photographs of completed projects to TET Fund.
“The last time EFCC came to our school, they were probed and when they were found wanting, our registrar was sacked.” he said.
He also advocates that supervision of TETFund projects should be handed to the National Universities Commission.
But an official of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) , Zone A, Mubarak Muhammad.
told the website that the association supports the call by students for a comprehensive probe of contract awards on campuses.
“All these suggestions from our students are welcome but NANS is saying that TET Fund should look inwards. Any of their staff that is corrupt should be charged to court, not only the contractors. Contracts are not being awarded based on merit, that’s where all these are coming from.
“They should look inward and if EFCC is needed, they should also be included.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the Student Union leader of Bayero University,Kano, Sadi Garba, said students could help their institutions and TET Fund if they report poorly executed contracts to their Student Union Government (SUG).
“The Student Union should report to the school management and the school management should report to TETFund.
“For example, if a building is not constructed properly, it may pose danger to the students. If those buildings are not standard, it may collapse.
“They should question both the contractors and TET fund.”