TETFund’ll concentrate on academic, infrastructural devt —Scribe

The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, has stated that the fund will concentrate on both infrastructural and programme developments to place Nigerian tertiary institutions on the same pedestal with other institutions globally.

Speaking at the 6th joint TETFund/FIRS interactive forum in Lagos, Bogoro said: “In line with this new mandate, TETFund is concerned not only with infrastructural development but with massive programmes, development, recognizing that infrastructural development alone would not place our public tertiary institutions on the same pedestal with others globally.”

According to him, TETFund has strategically intervened in key areas of academic needs in tertiary institutions, some of which are, physical infrastructure, academic staff training and development (M.Sc, Ph.D and conference attendance), national research, institution based research, book development (manuscripts development), journal publications, laboratory and library development.

He noted that this refocused mandate has improved the international ranking of public tertiary institutions.

Bogoro said the interventions had continued to have great impact in tertiary institutions and beyond, and these achievements would not have been possible without the cooperation and innovation of FIRS which has actively ensured that all taxable entities in Nigeria pay their taxes as at when due.

“This has tremendously resulted in increased funds made available to TETFund to adequately carry out its statutory responsibilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the scribe said part of the objectives of the forum was to ensure sustainable level of interaction between officials of TETFund and FIRS for enhancement of Education Trust Fund, ET, collection.

It also addressed issues emanating from usage of the new templates for ET returns rendition, just as it creates a synergy between the newly established TETFund zonal offices withFIRS field offices.

On her part, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Binta Masi Garba, assured that the committee will ensure that tax payers will see value for their money. She added that she will also ensure that the ranking of tertiary institutions improves and attracts scholars and students globally.