TETFUND: We Can’t Cross Red Lines on Funding
Deplores academic research in tertiary institutions
Paul Obi
Notwithstanding the pressure by some research institutions and private universities to compel the federal government to fund them, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) yesterday in Abuja said government cannot cross the red lines on funding of private institutions.
Speaking at an interactive session with some tertiary institutions, Executive Secretary TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, said the agency is handicapped in funding research institutions and private universities that are not within the scope of its mandate.
He said: “We have limitations within our mandate, we cannot cross the red lines on funding. Based on TETFUND Act, it excludes research institutions and private universities. Our mandate only includes universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education; we cannot therefore breach our laws.
“We are very cautious of bringing so many institutions thereby diluting the concept of funding public tertiary institutions,” Bogoro said.
He rather assured that whenever corporate tax of companies is increased from the present two to three or four per cent, then, the agency could contemplate extending some help to them.
The executive secretary further stressed that, “for those who are not benefiting, there is a window of opportunity through research collaboration.”
He also deplored the quality of research and development (R&D) in tertiary institutions, specifically, poor research proposals put forward for sponsorship.
Bogoro cited an instance where TETFUND received about 879 proposals, only “a little above 20” scaled through, adding: “We have allowed complacency to take over us.”
Meanwhile, National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Director General, Umar Bindir, has charged tertiary institutions to put efforts and efficiency into promoting research and development.