Education
Tax reform has inimical effect on TETFund, tertiary education – COEASU
Mariam Sanni
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), has noted with serious concern the inimical effect of the proposed tax reforms of the Federal Government on Tertiary Education in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by COEASU President, Dr Smart Olugbeko.
According to Olugbeko, the tax reform is a dangerous ambush aimed at destroying public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
We strongly reject the aspects of the proposed tax administration which aims to withdraw or impede on the source of fund to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
” Such injury, if allowed to stand, is bound to undermine the development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
“TETFund is a brainchild of the struggles of academic staff unions in tertiary institutions led by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“Prior to the establishment of TETFund, infrastructure in tertiary institutions were in a shambles and government of Nigeria became clueless on the way forward until ASUU came up with a brilliant idea of a trust fund for the education sector,” he said.
Olugbeko expressed concern that no Nigeria government in the last two decades or more had committed up to 9 per cent of the annual budget to education despite the UNESCO recommendation that 26 per cent of the annual budget be dedicated to education.
He added that the aspect of the tax reform that allowed TETFUND to be stifled of its source of Fund would gradually ‘drag tertiary institutions into the stock market making them become capitalistic ventures for the highest bidders’.
“Except for TETFund which has become the spine and lifeblood of public tertiary education funding, Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education would have gone comatose.
“TETFund has been playing indispensable and exclusively vital role in the development of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, providing funding for infrastructure, research, teaching and learning facilities as well as staff development,” he added.
The president condermned the attack on TETFund without prejudice to the potential strengths of the proposed tax administration law in expanding the tax base and reinforcing compliance towards economic stimulation.
“Rather than killing TETFund through the purported tax reform, the federal government should strengthen and expand its revenue accrual sources with a view to sustaining the Fund’s commendable efforts in our institutions.”
He called on stakeholders in education including students, parents, educators, the civil society to join hands with the union in rejecting proposal in order to save public tertiary education.
Education
Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies
Joel Ajayi
In a major step toward advancing inclusive education in Nigeria, Deaf-in-Tech, an initiative of Data-Lead Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) to establish a Professional Master’s Degree in Disability Studies.
The signing ceremony, held at Deaf-in-Tech’s headquarters in Abuja, featured a goodwill message from Prof. Adaka Terfa Ahon, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, who represented FULAFIA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to championing disability and inclusion in its academic innovation and planning.
The new Master’s programme will adopt a hybrid learning model, with online classes complemented by in-person sessions at Deaf-in-Tech’s training facility in Abuja. It is designed to build expertise in disability-inclusive governance, education, and development across sectors.
Executive Director of Deaf-in-Tech and Co-Founder of Data-Lead Africa, Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, described the collaboration as a “structural shift” in how institutions and professionals engage with disability issues. “The inclusion journey must begin with knowledge, and we are proud to partner with a progressive university like FULAFIA,” he said.
Beyond the postgraduate programme, the partnership will also establish a Deaf-in-Tech Club on FULAFIA’s campus — the first of its kind — to empower Deaf students with technology skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities. Additional initiatives include a ₦1 million academic excellence reward for any Deaf student who graduates with a First Class, as well as the development of a disability-accessible website and digital database for the Centre for Disability Studies, built to WCAG 2.1 global accessibility standards.
The alliance underscores both institutions’ commitment to building inclusive systems and celebrating excellence, while positioning Deaf-in-Tech as a catalyst for bridging the gap between disability and the digital economy.
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