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Varsity Workers Tackle TETFund Over Suspension Of Oversea Conferences
The non-teaching staff in the universities have kicked against the recent Federal Government policy through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, which suspends them from attending overseas conferences over alleged paucity of funds.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, in a letter to the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, said it considered the notification which only allows the teaching staff to attend conferences abroad as discriminatory, misguided, ill-advised, and a negation of the principles upon which a government agency such as TETFUND should operate.
SSANU in the letter signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim further stated that the action of TETFUND was capable of retarding staff development and even threaten industrial harmony within the system.
Recall that TETFUND had on July 17, in a letter to all heads of its beneficiary institutions with the title, “Conference attendance exchange rate update notification,” signed by Abubakar Adamu, Director, Academic Staff Training and Development for the Executive Secretary, said that due to paucity of funds, non-teaching staff have been suspended from attending overseas conferences.
The TETFUND letter read in part, “You may recall that there has been a major monetary policy reform in the country that established a single exchange rate for the naira where the Central Bank of Nigeria has adopted a new exchange rate policy of floating Naira and this essentially allows market forces to determine the exchange rate.
“In order to comply with the policy, the Fund has adopted the following exchange rate for the vetting of foreign conference attendance intervention: USD 746.89, GBP-948.075, EURO – 814.76.
“Consequently, the Management has approved the suspension of non- teaching staff to foreign conferences due to paucity of funds. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to note the exchange rate and ensure that only teaching staff with evidence of accepted Paper for presentation are nominated for foreign conferences.”
But SSANU in a letter addressed to the secretary said, “The attention of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is drawn to a notification dated July 17, 2023, emanating from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) signed by one Barr. Abubakar Adamu, Director Academic Training for the Executive Secretary.
“The said notification which pegged exchange rates for the vetting of Foreign Conference Attendance Intervention in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy of floating the Naira, went further to distasteful and maliciously suspend any further consideration of Non-Teaching Staff for foreign conferences on account of ‘paucity of funds’.
“SSANU notes with dismay, the action of TETFUND, and unequivocally holds that such ill-advised move would negatively affect the corporate governance of Nigerian universities and the job performance of the Non-Teaching staffers who are majorly the ones running the University system.
“We find it appalling that TETFUND has decided against the consideration of Non-Teaching Staff for foreign conferences when ab-initio, there is a skewed 70:30 allocation for training which had never favoured the non-teaching staff. It is painful that the non-teaching staff of tertiary institutions have to be the fall victims of further discrimination on account of “paucity of funds.”
it further said, “SSANU, therefore, considers this notification of TETFUND as discriminatory, misguided, ill-advised, and a negation of the principles upon which a government agency such as TETFUND should operate.
“SSANU also holds that this action of TETFUND is capable of retarding staff development and even threaten industrial harmony within the system –
especially at a time the new administration of President Bola Tinubu is working hard to ensure industrial peace in our tertiary institutions.
“We therefore urge TETFUND to without any hesitation, retract the said notification, and set machinery in motion, which would see to the fair consideration of the Conference applications of every category of staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“We also recommend that TETFUND draws up guidelines that would entrench the principles of equity, fairness and justice in the consideration of all staff applications for both local and foreign conferences and training.”
The statement added, “Conclusively, SSANU advises that TETFUND as a responsible agency of the Federal Government should be involved in actions that would unite our Universities, and not engage in pushing poorly thought out plans which would see to the polarization of Nigerian Universities and brewing crisis within our citadel of learning.”
The letter was copied to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.