The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the proposed increment in Value Added Tax (VAT) under the federal government’s tax reform bills, describing it as a move that will worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, criticized the government for advancing the bills without consulting key stakeholders, warning that a VAT hike would directly burden consumers and escalate the cost of living. He also expressed concern over provisions in the bill that he said lacked proper evaluation.
Osodeke further condemned plans to scrap the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in favor of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), calling it a threat to Nigeria’s public universities. He urged the government to explore alternative funding for NELFUND without dismantling TETFund, which he described as a critical pillar of tertiary education for over 30 years.
ASUU proposed allocating a percentage of VAT to fund NELFUND rather than repurposing TETFund’s revenue, stressing the need for reforms that prioritize the welfare of Nigerians and safeguard access to quality education.
