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| Bogoro |
TETFund’s ad
hoc committees and silence on their progress
hoc committees and silence on their progress
The Tertiary
Education Trust Fund (TETFund), oversees the scholarly and infrastructural
needs of the nation’s public higher institutions of learning. Within a short period that the Executive
Secretary of the Fund, Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro was reinstated to his
duty post after the sack of Dr Abdullahi Bichi Baffa, he inaugurated three
very important committees which many have lauded but many months on, not much has been heard about the committee, UJI
ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
Education Trust Fund (TETFund), oversees the scholarly and infrastructural
needs of the nation’s public higher institutions of learning. Within a short period that the Executive
Secretary of the Fund, Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro was reinstated to his
duty post after the sack of Dr Abdullahi Bichi Baffa, he inaugurated three
very important committees which many have lauded but many months on, not much has been heard about the committee, UJI
ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
Background
Early in the
year 2019, the current executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund
(TETFund), Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro, was reinstated to the fund. To the
admiration of Nigerians, Bogoro hit the ground running. He quickly inaugurated
three ad hoc committees namely,
Research and Development, Book Publishing, and Technical Action
Committee on Impact Assessment of
Tetfund interventions from 1999 to 2019.
year 2019, the current executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund
(TETFund), Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro, was reinstated to the fund. To the
admiration of Nigerians, Bogoro hit the ground running. He quickly inaugurated
three ad hoc committees namely,
Research and Development, Book Publishing, and Technical Action
Committee on Impact Assessment of
Tetfund interventions from 1999 to 2019.
Many
stakeholders in the education had welcomed the move as the right step in the
right direction, more so that Bogoro was not a man on the job training and his
appointment was based purely on merit.
stakeholders in the education had welcomed the move as the right step in the
right direction, more so that Bogoro was not a man on the job training and his
appointment was based purely on merit.
But later,
Nigerians seemed disappointed because the committees’ progress reports were
shrouded in secrecy. Many of the officials of the committees are academics
drawn from universities outside the shores of Nigeria. Although some critical
stakeholders faulted the committees’ membership, especially leadership
positions as they claimed their chairmen are close friends of the TETfund boss
and the minister of education. Though some of the committee members are
actually men who are making waves in their chosen fields in foreign
universities, they are far removed from Nigerian system, so they claimed.
Nigerians seemed disappointed because the committees’ progress reports were
shrouded in secrecy. Many of the officials of the committees are academics
drawn from universities outside the shores of Nigeria. Although some critical
stakeholders faulted the committees’ membership, especially leadership
positions as they claimed their chairmen are close friends of the TETfund boss
and the minister of education. Though some of the committee members are
actually men who are making waves in their chosen fields in foreign
universities, they are far removed from Nigerian system, so they claimed.
The termination of
Professor Bogoro barely a year into the Buhari
administration and his reinstatement all within a period less than three
years is an evidence of a competing interests, most of
which are hardly ever devoid of politics and likely loyalty in a servant-master
relationship.
Professor Bogoro barely a year into the Buhari
administration and his reinstatement all within a period less than three
years is an evidence of a competing interests, most of
which are hardly ever devoid of politics and likely loyalty in a servant-master
relationship.
The drama of Bogoro’s reinstatement and Dr Baffa’s sack negatively impact on the very
critical role which the agency was set up to play as its activities are
threatened by compromise and interference even now that our tertiary
institutions are groaning under dire scholarly challenges.
critical role which the agency was set up to play as its activities are
threatened by compromise and interference even now that our tertiary
institutions are groaning under dire scholarly challenges.
Judging from the frenzy that greeted his
reinstatement, it is obvious that Bogoro was the man for the
job. But it seems the Nigerian factor
has killed the man’s zeal to instil sanity in the way higher education sector
appropriate their project funds. But higher schools get their requests
satisfied based on loyalty to higher authority.
reinstatement, it is obvious that Bogoro was the man for the
job. But it seems the Nigerian factor
has killed the man’s zeal to instil sanity in the way higher education sector
appropriate their project funds. But higher schools get their requests
satisfied based on loyalty to higher authority.
NEITI report right?
Last year NEITI gave a
damning report on TETFund that between 2012 and 2016, TETfund had spent
N963.3bn naira without guidelines and accountability? The allegation Bogoro
dismissed as mere distraction in an exclusive interview with Blueprint.
damning report on TETFund that between 2012 and 2016, TETfund had spent
N963.3bn naira without guidelines and accountability? The allegation Bogoro
dismissed as mere distraction in an exclusive interview with Blueprint.
“I will tell you one thing. I am too focused to be
distracted by speculators… I tell you outrightly that they were wrong. They
should do their homework thoroughly next time.
They should not just talk because they want to malign somebody. TETFund
fund is not from the federation account.
Go and check our law.”
distracted by speculators… I tell you outrightly that they were wrong. They
should do their homework thoroughly next time.
They should not just talk because they want to malign somebody. TETFund
fund is not from the federation account.
Go and check our law.”
He further stated that “It has been so far so good. My reinstatement
miraculously by Mr President is unprecedented in public service. For a
government who disengaged you from your position to reinstate you not just in
the service but in the same position is a miracle. Since then I appreciate God and Mr
President.
miraculously by Mr President is unprecedented in public service. For a
government who disengaged you from your position to reinstate you not just in
the service but in the same position is a miracle. Since then I appreciate God and Mr
President.
“You can imagine
how many people out there who did not know the fact. I thank Mr President for
giving me the reprieve. As far as I was
concerned, I was condemned and the government decided to probe me because I
requested for it. The probe panel
established that the basis for my disengagement was wrong. So graciously I was
reinstated. I came back with renewed
vigour to do even more than what I did during my first tenure, that was one
year 10 months.”
how many people out there who did not know the fact. I thank Mr President for
giving me the reprieve. As far as I was
concerned, I was condemned and the government decided to probe me because I
requested for it. The probe panel
established that the basis for my disengagement was wrong. So graciously I was
reinstated. I came back with renewed
vigour to do even more than what I did during my first tenure, that was one
year 10 months.”
But the more he came back to do are yet to manifest,
more so that NEITI report in August indicted TETfund of spending billions from the federation account without proper
accounts.
more so that NEITI report in August indicted TETfund of spending billions from the federation account without proper
accounts.
Why Dr Baffa was sacked
The minister of education
recommended Dr Abdullahi Bichi Baffa’s sack following what many perceived to be
irreconcilable differences between him and the minister. Baffa later made
damning allegation against the minister which included his refusal to do the
minister’s bidding in “diverting 10 per cent of TETfund money,” but in a swift
response, the minister alleged that Baffa was inaccessible and
rude, and disloyal. The allegation he (Baffa) disputed. Instead he
alleged that the minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu always demanded
a share in the huge financial allocations TETfund gets from the
annual national budget. To clear himself, Baffa called for investigation of the
allegations regarding the education minister’s misdemeanour and had even said
he would accept death sentence if he ever was found guilty of any wrongdoing at
the Fund.
recommended Dr Abdullahi Bichi Baffa’s sack following what many perceived to be
irreconcilable differences between him and the minister. Baffa later made
damning allegation against the minister which included his refusal to do the
minister’s bidding in “diverting 10 per cent of TETfund money,” but in a swift
response, the minister alleged that Baffa was inaccessible and
rude, and disloyal. The allegation he (Baffa) disputed. Instead he
alleged that the minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu always demanded
a share in the huge financial allocations TETfund gets from the
annual national budget. To clear himself, Baffa called for investigation of the
allegations regarding the education minister’s misdemeanour and had even said
he would accept death sentence if he ever was found guilty of any wrongdoing at
the Fund.
Curiously the minister of
education gave no reason when he announced the sacking of Dr Baffa. But Baffa’s
damning utterances after his sack were all pushed under the
carpet without the eagle-eyed EFCC and other anti-graft agencies raising an eye
brow.
education gave no reason when he announced the sacking of Dr Baffa. But Baffa’s
damning utterances after his sack were all pushed under the
carpet without the eagle-eyed EFCC and other anti-graft agencies raising an eye
brow.
With huge funds to throw around, the TETFund
executive secretary is truly the boss in education sector whose position is
more sought after than that of even the minister of education.
executive secretary is truly the boss in education sector whose position is
more sought after than that of even the minister of education.
In July 2019, TETFund disbursed N208bn for
2019 tertiary intervention fund. Professor Bogoro made this known at the annual
meeting of TETFund beneficiary institutions in Abuja last year.
He said that universities got N826, 684,
392.00; polytechnics got the sum of N566, 701, 842. 00 and colleges of
education received N542, 226, 346.00 each.
392.00; polytechnics got the sum of N566, 701, 842. 00 and colleges of
education received N542, 226, 346.00 each.
He further said that 18 institutions drawn from
six geopolitical zones in the country were to receive special high impact
interventions.
six geopolitical zones in the country were to receive special high impact
interventions.
Bogoro also explained that the 18 institutions
that were critically selected in line with guidelines received N5bn for the
intervention.
that were critically selected in line with guidelines received N5bn for the
intervention.
That huge money is surely a temptation to TETFund
and politicians are careful in appointing to it only those academics who will
do their bidding.
and politicians are careful in appointing to it only those academics who will
do their bidding.
The ad hoc committees
The TETfund boss had said that
the agency was going to deemphasize the building of physical structures in
tertiary institutions and encourage research, but today TETFund’s approval of
physical structures are even expanding at the expense of research and
development in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education
nationwide. Stakeholders say state executives who are close to TETFund boss get
approval for higher schools, acquire structures and collect funds for physical
structures most of which are diverted for private use.
the agency was going to deemphasize the building of physical structures in
tertiary institutions and encourage research, but today TETFund’s approval of
physical structures are even expanding at the expense of research and
development in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education
nationwide. Stakeholders say state executives who are close to TETFund boss get
approval for higher schools, acquire structures and collect funds for physical
structures most of which are diverted for private use.
When the inauguration of ad hoc
committees were ongoing, stakeholders were clapping hands for the Bogoro return
but months later, with politics infused into the system, the scholarly efforts
of Bogoro seem to be all motion without
movement as little has been heard of the committees after their inaugurations,
even when members enjoy huge sitting allowances.
committees were ongoing, stakeholders were clapping hands for the Bogoro return
but months later, with politics infused into the system, the scholarly efforts
of Bogoro seem to be all motion without
movement as little has been heard of the committees after their inaugurations,
even when members enjoy huge sitting allowances.
Bogoro says innovative research and its consequent
commercialisation is the driver that moves and nurtures the engine of modern
economic growth, thus it is an important driver of poverty alleviation, so he must live up to his words.
commercialisation is the driver that moves and nurtures the engine of modern
economic growth, thus it is an important driver of poverty alleviation, so he must live up to his words.
“Innovative
research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver that moves and
nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an important driver
of poverty alleviation.
research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver that moves and
nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an important driver
of poverty alleviation.
“There is ample evidence to show that R&D propelled
by higher education, more than anything else, has contributed to the rise and
expansion of the world knowledge economy.
by higher education, more than anything else, has contributed to the rise and
expansion of the world knowledge economy.
“In spite of the fact that the role of R&D in
national development, including leveraging the quality of research and academic
programmes is well known, the level of research and development infrastructure
and productivity in Nigeria remains unacceptably low (0.02%).
national development, including leveraging the quality of research and academic
programmes is well known, the level of research and development infrastructure
and productivity in Nigeria remains unacceptably low (0.02%).
“Such a
foundation, when established, shall promote an effective interface between
universities, government and private sector, especially the industrial
subsector of the economy.”
foundation, when established, shall promote an effective interface between
universities, government and private sector, especially the industrial
subsector of the economy.”
He therefore, said for long, TETFund had been paying
attention to physical infrastructure but now it is time for innovative
researches to make the physical structures meaningful.
attention to physical infrastructure but now it is time for innovative
researches to make the physical structures meaningful.
The committee has Professor Placid Njoku, an erudite
scholar and one of Africa’s most prominent intellectual and academics and
current president of Nigerian Institute
of Animal Science as chairman; Professor
Ibrahim Katampe, a professor of Chemistry and director for Innovative and Technology
Incubation in the Center for Excellence in Emerging Technologies (CEET) ,
Central State University, USA, as vice
chairman, and Mr Temitope Toogun, head of human capital commission of the
Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) as
member.
scholar and one of Africa’s most prominent intellectual and academics and
current president of Nigerian Institute
of Animal Science as chairman; Professor
Ibrahim Katampe, a professor of Chemistry and director for Innovative and Technology
Incubation in the Center for Excellence in Emerging Technologies (CEET) ,
Central State University, USA, as vice
chairman, and Mr Temitope Toogun, head of human capital commission of the
Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) as
member.
Responding to the developments in the committees so far
inaugurated, Bogoro spoke of their importance without telling how far their
objectives were being realised.
inaugurated, Bogoro spoke of their importance without telling how far their
objectives were being realised.
“I will start with National Research
Fund, which is the highest research granting platform in Nigeria. If you go to
America there is a foundation.
Fund, which is the highest research granting platform in Nigeria. If you go to
America there is a foundation.
“In South Africa, there is a national research foundation. Their own is just for training of higher
degrees. But ours is to fund research for lecturers. We have another department that supports
training for academics so we are doing even better in all honesty,” Bogoro said
but did not disclose how better.
degrees. But ours is to fund research for lecturers. We have another department that supports
training for academics so we are doing even better in all honesty,” Bogoro said
but did not disclose how better.
“The second committee is the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) whose
job is to preside over three sub areas. One is the manuscript development.
There are lecturers who show us their manuscripts and once they are assessed by
our assessors who are members of the committee, they will give them
some money. There are PhD theses that are considered very good. If they are
assessed and they are picked out, they will be transformed into textbooks. People don’t seem to know all this.
job is to preside over three sub areas. One is the manuscript development.
There are lecturers who show us their manuscripts and once they are assessed by
our assessors who are members of the committee, they will give them
some money. There are PhD theses that are considered very good. If they are
assessed and they are picked out, they will be transformed into textbooks. People don’t seem to know all this.
“Then we have professional journals being supported by TETFund. If
you are a professional in any field you know it. And the third is the Technical
Advisory Committee on Impact Assessment (TACIA). The committee is to assess the
impact made by TETFund intervention on the beneficiary institutions from 1999
to 2019.”
you are a professional in any field you know it. And the third is the Technical
Advisory Committee on Impact Assessment (TACIA). The committee is to assess the
impact made by TETFund intervention on the beneficiary institutions from 1999
to 2019.”
TACIA was mandated to determine
the level of implementation, mandates and effectiveness of the Fund; to
determine challenges, achievements and weaknesses recorded and observed in the
course of the implementation of the existing projects, programmes and
intervention lines of the Fund; to improve future direction of the Fund within
the TETFund statutory mandate as encapsulated in its establishment Act.
the level of implementation, mandates and effectiveness of the Fund; to
determine challenges, achievements and weaknesses recorded and observed in the
course of the implementation of the existing projects, programmes and
intervention lines of the Fund; to improve future direction of the Fund within
the TETFund statutory mandate as encapsulated in its establishment Act.
Nigerians are still waiting. Going by the huge TETFund enjoys. The
Fund will be more accountable if there is a legislation that will make its
activities subject to approval by the special committee on TETFund in the
National Assembly or make it independent of the ministry of education.
Fund will be more accountable if there is a legislation that will make its
activities subject to approval by the special committee on TETFund in the
National Assembly or make it independent of the ministry of education.