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Crisis

Nigeria Lawmakers Accused of Extorting Universities for Budget Approval

 

An investigation has uncovered a bribery scheme involving Nigerian lawmakers who are allegedly demanding N8 million each from vice-chancellors of federal universities to approve their budget allocations for 2025. The extortion targets about 60 universities, potentially generating N480 million for the lawmakers.

The scheme reportedly involves members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, as well as the House Committee on University Education. Each vice-chancellor is expected to pay N4 million to each committee, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Several vice-chancellors have revealed that lawmakers used threats of budget rejections and probes to coerce them into compliance. At a meeting on January 16, chaired by Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa), the House Committee allegedly criticized university heads for resisting these demands. The lawmakers reportedly cajoled and humiliated the vice-chancellors, warning them of dire consequences if they refused to cooperate.

One source disclosed that lawmakers targeted the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Gusau, Muazu Gusau, for allegedly being “stubborn” and resisting their demands. The lawmakers reportedly threatened to “deal with” him, though they did not specify how.

To avoid detection, the lawmakers have devised a system involving the use of multiple bank accounts and proxies to collect the payments. This strategy complicates tracking the transactions, making it difficult for anti-corruption agencies to intervene.

A vice-chancellor expressed concerns about the involvement of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), citing past experiences where committees intimidated university heads using similar schemes. However, an ICPC spokesperson denied any knowledge of such activities and dismissed allegations of the agency’s compromise

This is not the first time Nigerian lawmakers have been accused of such practices. In 2023, PREMIUM TIMES exposed another extortion scheme targeting universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Despite ICPC probes, there has been little accountability or reform.

The bribery demands come at a time when federal universities are grappling with chronic underfunding. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has long criticized the government for failing to meet its 2009 agreement to allocate N1.5 trillion for university funding. With limited resources, universities rely heavily on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is now under increasing pressure from lawmakers.

The ongoing extortion adds to the financial strain on institutions and undermines efforts to address Nigeria’s educational challenges.

The revelations have sparked public outrage, with calls for anti-corruption agencies to investigate and hold the lawmakers accountable. Transparency advocates argue that unchecked corruption in the budget process erodes trust in governance and hinders the development of critical sectors like education.

Despite repeated attempts, it’s futile efforts to get a response from Mr. Fulata or other lawmakers involved. The Nigerian government and civil society must now address the deepening crisis and ensure accountability in the budgeting process.

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