The House of Representatives, during its plenary session on Tuesday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to include Inter–University Centres among the beneficiaries of the tax imposed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act, to enhance training and research.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, No.16, 2011 to Provide for the Inclusion of Inter–University Centres among Beneficiaries of the Tax Imposed under the Act; and for Related Matters HB.1754,” is sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and eight others.
The Inter-University Centres listed in the proposed amendment include:
National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja
National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State
Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, Lagos State
National Arabic Language Village, Ngala, Borno State
Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, co-sponsor Hon. Tolani Shagaya highlighted the establishment of TETFUND under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, No.16 of 2011. He noted that TETFUND has significantly impacted the nation’s education sector by improving infrastructure, providing learning tools, training staff, and promoting research and innovation in public tertiary institutions.
However, Shagaya pointed out that the Inter-University Centres, despite their establishment by Acts of the National Assembly to serve all universities, are currently excluded from TETFUND’s support framework. He emphasized that these centres fill critical academic, linguistic, and research gaps, serving as specialized hubs for knowledge. Yet, they do not receive any funding from TETFUND, even though their work directly supports the university system.
He described the amendment as a matter of “equity, inclusion, and academic relevance,” stressing that its swift passage would enhance the nation’s tertiary education system.
“Inter-University Centres support the entire university ecosystem by offering centralized expertise, hosting advanced research, conducting nationwide language training, and enhancing academic cooperation across institutions. Yet, because they are not classified as traditional universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, they have been excluded from the funding streams that sustain similar tertiary institutions,” Shagaya explained.
He added that the current situation places the Inter-University Centres at a significant disadvantage—leaving them “underfunded, under-equipped, and undervalued,” despite their clear national mandate.
The bill proposes the following key amendments to the Principal Act:
Amendment of Section 4: Provides for the recognition of Inter-University Centres under the Act.
Amendment of Section 7: Establishes a new allocation/sharing ratio of 2:1:1:1 to fund the Inter-University Centres. This ratio may be adjusted during the Committee Stage based on stakeholder input.
Amendment of Section 20: Redefines the interpretation and meaning of “Inter-University Centres.”
Shagaya described the proposal as a “practical and inclusive amendment that ensures no vital academic institution is left behind.” He noted that recognizing Inter-University Centres as eligible beneficiaries of the TETFUND tax would reinforce their roles, strengthen their structures, and provide more robust support to Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The bill was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session. It was passed and subsequently referred to the Committee on TETFUND for further consideration.
