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Tag: NASS

  • Emergency rule: ‘We don’t have democracy anymore’ — Pat Utomi slams NASS

    Emergency rule: ‘We don’t have democracy anymore’ — Pat Utomi slams NASS

    Professor Pat Utomi has blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, saying Nigeria does not have democracy anymore.

    The professor of political economy said the Senate and House of Representatives’ endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.

    Recall that President Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, due to the unresolved political crisis in the state.

    However, despite the barrage of criticisms against the development from political analysts, lawyers and activists across the country, the National Assembly approved the declaration unanimously on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, March 21, 2025, Prof Utomi said the lawmakers murdered democracy, adding that the National Assembly has been consistent in insulting Nigerians.

    “Democracy was murdered in Nigeria yesterday. I cannot publicly say I come from a country that operates democracy, it’s not a democracy. Even the manner of it is so disdainful of the sensitivity of the Nigerian people. To do what they did yesterday was an insult to the Nigerian people. The National Assembly has become consistent in insulting the Nigerian people. We do not have a democracy anymore,” he said.

    Prof Utomi said most of the current National Assembly members were hiding when people like him fought for democracy.

    He also faulted the lawmakers’ method of voting on the issue and the claim that there was no single dissenting voice during the voice vote.

    Prof Utomi said he had seen a situation when the lawmakers said nays, and the speaker said the ayes have it.

    He added that Nigerian leaders are destroying the country’s institutions, saying it’s a tragedy that Nigeria has been brought to a situation where the world now laughs at the country.

  • Rivers Crisis: Anger as NASS approves emergency rule with voice vote

    Rivers Crisis: Anger as NASS approves emergency rule with voice vote

    The two chambers of the National Assembly, yesterday, approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and other elected officials for six months, and the appointment of a sole administrator by a voice vote.

    This is contrary to Section 305(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires a resolution of the National Assembly supported by a two-thirds majority of members to back the president’s request.

    As the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, slammed the National Assembly for the approval, arguing that a two-thirds majority could not be determined through a voice vote, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the legislators’ approval was done with unanimity without a single nay.

    While approving the emergency rule, the Senate said all regulations in Rivers State must be subjected to the approval and oversight of the National Assembly Joint Ad-hoc Committee.

    It also urged the federal government to institute a reconciliation mechanism, including setting up a peace and reconciliation committee, composed of the National Assembly, the executive, eminent Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure lasting peace and stability in Rivers.

    In the House of Representatives, the legislators amended the proclamation of President Tinubu, insisting that Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, report back to the National Assembly and not the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

    Reps amendments

    The House made three amendments which were passed through a voice vote, with 243 members in attendance.
    Another amendment was that a national committee, composed of members from the Presidency, National Assembly and other eminent Nigerians be set up to mitigate and restore peace to Rivers State.

    The third amendment was that the President can review the period of emergency to a shorter period than six months.

    Though few members were allowed to make comments on the president’s request, others expressed concerns over constitutional provisions.

    Senate’s approval

    The Senate approved the state of emergency in Rivers State after about one and a half hours closed door session.!

    Speaking after the closed-door meeting on the resolutions reached by senators, Senate President Akpabio said: “The Senate invokes the powers conveyed on it by Section 305 of Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended ), approves the proclamation of state of emergency declared by Mr. President in Rivers State of Nigeria.

    “The Senate further directs that the declaration of the state of emergency stated in the proclamation documents demands that the President can review and even terminate the state of emergency at any given time, but not later than six months.

    “The Senate further resolved that Section 11, Subsection 4 be invoked, providing the National Assembly the authority to set up a joint ad hoc committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of Rivers State, henceforth.

    “The Senate further resolved that a committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to reconcile the warring groups in the government of River State within the period of the state of emergency.

    “The Senate further resolved that a committee of eminent Nigerians to reconcile the warring factions in Rivers State be set up to carry out their action during the period of state of emergency.

    “For final ratification, I put it to the Senate that those in favour of the proclamation of the state of emergency 2025 in Rivers State, should say aye “, which was affirmatively responded to by all the senators in the chamber.”

    An elated Akpabio, who was impressed with the affirmative response to the question by senators, said “This approval is done with unanimity, without a single nay.”

    The Senate President continued: “Therefore, pursuant to Section 60 of the constitution, Section 305 (2) and pursuant to our rules, Rule 1 (b) of the standing orders of the Senate and also pursuant to Rules 133, 134, 135 and 136 of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State was approved and other vital resolutions taken.”

    To give the entire process the required legislative backing, the Senate, thereafter, adjourned for one hour and reconvened later to pass the votes and proceedings of the entire session and finally adjourned to Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

    Disquiet at closed-door session

    Vanguard gathered that during the closed door session, senators were sharply divided over the issue.
    According to sources, quorum was not formed, hence senators present resorted to voice vote, against actual voting.

    Senators Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West; Enyinnaya Abaribe, APGA, Abia South; Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto South; and others stormed out of the chamber in anger as a result.

    Vanguard gathered that 64 senators signed the attendance register, though the presiding officers do not sign the register as they normally walk into the hallowed chamber with the principal officers.

    Earlier, Akpabio had informed his colleagues of President Tinubu’s letter on the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State and the letter was read at plenary.

    Akpabio, after reading the letter, said: This letter is committed to the committee of the entire Senate for immediate passage.’’

    The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, then raised Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders to suspend all other items in the Order Paper to discuss only the Proclamation letter, he was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South, and the Senate immediately went into a closed door session.

    Akpabio, Dickson clash over Point of Order

    Prior to the closed-door session, there was a mild altercation between Senate President, Akpabio, and Senator Seriake Dickson when Dickson raised a point of Order after Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter.

    As Senator Dickson raised the point of Order, Akpabio told him to sit down and that he already knew where he stood on the state of emergency, having watched him on television on Wednesday, where he said his views would not align with that of the Senate.

    Akpabio and Dickson disagreed sharply over the procedure for handling President Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

    The problem started when the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to amend the order of proceedings, allowing the Senate to prioritize debate on the state of emergency before attending to other items on the order paper.

    As Bamidele rose to present the motion, Dickson raised a point of order, seeking to draw attention to what he described as a procedural requirement that the Senate should first convene a closed-door session before debating such a sensitive matter.

    Akpabio appeared reluctant to acknowledge Dickson’s point of order but as tension rose, he allowed Dickson to raise the point of order.

    The Bayelsa lawmaker drew the attention of the Senate to Order 133 of the Senate Standing Rules, which required matters of state of emergency to be deliberated upon in a closed door session.

    Akpabio upon hearing that, upheld his point of order, which was later held by the Senate where all its resolutions were taken on the state of emergency.

    The motion for the adoption of votes and proceedings of Wednesday was adopted by Senator Barinada Mpigi, PDP, Rivers South-East and seconded by Senator Idiat Adebule, APC, Lagos West.

    Obi slams NASS for approving emergency rule

    Faulting the National Assembly, Obi said the use of voice vote on such crucial issues was an insult to Nigerians and a breach of the 1999 constitution.

    Obi, who had along with several other opposition leaders made a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly to reject the illegal removal of Rivers State governor, Similaya Fubara, and the State Assembly, in a series of tweets on his X handle, yesterday, wrote: “While still agonizing over the ongoing deterioration of democracy in our nation, especially with the situation in Rivers State, and trying to reach out to our National Assembly members not to support and sustain the unconstitutionality and arbitrariness, I just heard that they have added salt to injury by using a voice vote.

    “The constitution is clear that this cannot be done through a voice vote but by calling individuals to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote.

    “While a two-thirds majority is crucial, it does not justify bypassing proper procedures and undermining the principles of transparency and accountability. The use of a voice vote in such a significant decision not only disregards constitutional requirements but also erodes public trust in the democratic process.

    “Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law. It’s disheartening that a decision as crucial as approving an emergency proclamation — one that could alter the course of the nation — was handled with such casual disregard for constitutional standards.

    “The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) clearly requires that such a proclamation must be approved by at least two-thirds of all members of each arm of the legislature — the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    ‘’A simple call of “Aye” or “Nay” cannot accurately measure this crucial threshold. When a supermajority is required, it demands a recorded vote — whether by division, roll call, or electronic means.

    ‘’This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a matter of law and legitimacy. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules were established to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are made transparently, with accountability. Ignoring these procedures is not just an oversight; it is a betrayal of the democratic process.”

    Some lawyers also faulted the process of approving the state of emergency proclamation through voice vote, arguing that the process was not sufficient and could nt guarantee fairness and transparency.

    A voice vote was insufficient to pass the resolution -Prof. Erugo, SAN

    Prof. Sam Erugo, SAN, said: “It is apparent that the Senate and House of Representatives did not appreciate the gravity of the President ‘s proclamation, which was referred to them for approval.

    ‘’By Section 305(2) of the Constitution, they were required to ‘consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation.’

    “Going by subsection (6), if there was no resolution supported by two-thirds of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the Proclamation, it would have lapsed after two days.
    “This provision shows the seriousness of the matter the National Assembly treated just like any other business.

    “That is the reason the two-thirds majority of each House is required. A voice vote is insufficient to pass the resolution approving the President’s proclamation, which, as it were, required a special resolution and, obviously, the voice vote is unconstitutional.

    “There is no way to determine that two-thirds majority ‘of all the members’ voted in favour of the proclamation, as required by the Constitution.

    “One wonders why the hurry. In other jurisdictions, we should have seen robust debates in both Houses, considering the situation in Rivers State, to determine whether it required the extreme measure of declaration of state of emergency, and to the extent of removing an elected governor.

    “It is unfortunate that Nigerians were deprived the opportunity to have vital information beyond the President’s partisan remarks that would appear to have decided against the governor.”

    Voice voting does not guarantee fairness, transparency -Edun, SAN

    In his reaction, Kunle Edun, SAN, said: “The Rules of the House will guide the legislators how the voting would be done. However, members can insist on a transparent process and considering the national importance of this issue, they should request for physical or electronic voting and counting of the votes.

    “Voice voting does not guarantee fairness and transparency as shown in previous sessions presided over by the Senate President particularly.

    “To show to the whole world the fairness of the entire process, voting must be done either electronically or physically and how each senator voted must be published for Nigerians to see.”

    Uzodimma backs Tinubu, says it’s a national security necessity

    The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. He described the move as a proactive step necessary to prevent a looming crisis that could destabilize both the state and Nigeria’s economy.

    Addressing journalists in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma emphasized the significance of Rivers State to the nation’s economic survival, particularly in crude oil production. He noted that the ongoing political tensions and refusal of key players to heed advisory interventions had escalated into a national security concern. The governor referenced recent reports of pipeline bombings and explosions in the state, stressing that at a time when Nigeria is striving to boost crude oil production to strengthen its currency and economy, such unrest cannot be tolerated.

    “The President was very proactive, and his actions are highly commendable. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. Imagine what would have happened if the impeachment went ahead—it would have triggered actions and reactions, leading to violence and widespread unrest,” Uzodimma stated.

    He also commended the National Assembly for supporting President Tinubu’s decision, describing it as a step taken in the national interest. He expressed confidence in the Federal Executive Council’s ability to oversee the situation effectively and ensure that law and order prevail. While acknowledging that the Progressive Governors’ Forum had not yet convened since the declaration, Uzodimma assured that, as chairman, he could confidently affirm that the forum stands firmly behind the President.

    “To the best of my knowledge, none of our members will go against the actions of the President. We support any decision that protects the security and stability of the country,” he concluded.

  • Tinubu lauds NASS for ratifying state of emergency in Rivers

    Tinubu lauds NASS for ratifying state of emergency in Rivers

    ABUJA — PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has commended the National Assembly for “its decisive and patriotic ratification of the State of Emergency proclamation in Rivers State”, a critical step to restoring stability after a protracted political crisis that paralysed governance in the state and endangered national economic security for over 15 months.

    The President specifically commended the leadership of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, other principal officers and members “for prioritising the security and welfare of Rivers State people above partisan interests and other considerations.”

    A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the President “further acknowledged the lawmakers’ diligent review of classified security briefings, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent further escalation.”

    .

    According to the statement: “The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening the security of vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the significant progress we have made in the reforms initiated since our administration commenced in May 2023.

    “As I detailed in my address to the nation on 18 March, the near-total collapse of governance, threats to federal economic assets, and the risk of widespread violence left no room for hesitation. This emergency measure is a lifeline to safeguard livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic accountability.”

    The President affirmed that the six-month emergency will empower the newly-appointed Sole Administrator to stabilise Rivers State, address systemic breakdowns, and facilitate dialogue among conflicting parties.

    President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Assembly to advance peace, economic resilience, and equitable development across Nigeria.

    “Today’s decision exemplifies what our nation can achieve when unity of purpose and patriotism guide the action of leaders. We remain steadfast in pursuing a safer, more prosperous Nigeria—one where every citizen’s potential is safeguarded and nurtured,” he said.

    He thanked all Nigerians for their understanding and urged all stakeholders to support the restoration of peace in Rivers State.

  • Party primary: NASS mulls amending 2022 Electoral Act

    Party primary: NASS mulls amending 2022 Electoral Act

    ABUJA—There are moves by the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to allow statutory delegates to participate in party primaries.

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who disclosed this in an audience with the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja yesterday, assured that statutory delegates would participate in party primaries next year.

    He said the omission of statutory delegates from the primaries of political parties in the 2022 Electoral Act was a costly mistake that must be corrected before the next round of general elections.

    Akpabio, who also urged the leadership of NBA to weed out quacks from the legal profession, said: “There were defects in the last Electoral Act that was amended. So, we want to cure some of the defects that we found in our electoral system. I can tell you one.

    “Without any particular intention from the Parliament, in the 2023 elections and the 2022 primaries, we inadvertently created what I may call super-delegates.

    “Because all the statutory delegates, starting from the president, the vice president, governors, deputy governors, the Senate president, Deputy Senate President, speaker, deputy speaker, members of parliament (national and sub-national), chairmen of councils, and all, were omitted as delegates.

    “These are areas we think we can look at in order to make our democracy more participatory because democracy is all about numbers.

    “We ended up at a national level bringing out the President. We had about 2,380, because we had 3,000 people in each of the local government areas omitted from the amendment.

    “It meant that all others, unless you contested to be an ad hoc delegate, were not welcome at the primaries to select flag bearers of the legislative houses, governorship, and, of course, flag bearer of the presidential conventions in all the political parties across the country.

    “We shall also look at the powers we gave to INEC because at the time, it looked as if INEC was the last arbiter as to who decides who is a candidate and not the political parties.

    “So, we now have to look up to INEC to decide whether to take the name or not to take the name. I believe strongly that political parties should have the power to select their candidates who will best serve their manifestos, have the integrity to represent their people, and a track record of performance to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”

    “These are areas we are looking at in the Electoral Act.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the National President of NBA, Afam Osigwe, SAN, who asked the Senate President to ensure the National Assembly, in the ongoing constitution amendment, brings about justice sector reform in the country, cited an example of one of the quacks he caught at the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos in the early 1990s, having earlier known the quack to have studied history at the University of Calabar where he claimed to have read law.

  • Photos: Natasha storms NASS as Pro-Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan supporters clash

    Photos: Natasha storms NASS as Pro-Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan supporters clash

    Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly amid protests by her supporters demanding Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s resignation, as well as a counter-protest by pro-Akpabio demonstrators.

    The senator representing Kogi Central had recently accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her during a visit to his residence in December 2023 and again when she sought answers about her Ajaokuta Steel motion. She had also previously clashed with the Senate President over her seating arrangement, alleging that she was deliberately isolated from other senators.

    As Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the protest scene near the Mopol gate, her supporters erupted in cheers, waving placards with messages such as “Akpabio must go” and “We stand with Senator Natasha.” The protesters, including members of civil society groups, insisted on a thorough investigation into her allegations.

    Meanwhile, a rival group of pro-Akpabio demonstrators staged a counter-protest, holding banners with inscriptions like “We say no to Natasha’s serial blackmailing” and “Akpabio treated Natasha as a daughter and friend.”

    Earlier, security personnel, some not in uniform, had dispersed the initial wave of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters with tear gas at the National Assembly Arcade, opposite Eagle Square.

    The protesters, who had begun gathering around 9 a.m., were forced to retreat but later regrouped at a nearby location to continue their demonstration.

    See photos below:

  • NACCIMA, OPS to NASS: Remove sections of tax bill that imposes taxes on FTZ

    NACCIMA, OPS to NASS: Remove sections of tax bill that imposes taxes on FTZ

    The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, NACCIMA, and the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria, OPSN, have called on the National Assembly, NASS, to remove sections of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 that imposed new tax burdens on Free Trade Zones, FTZs.

    In its memorandum to NASS, containing observations and recommendations on the proposed bill, NACCIMA argued that the proposed changes in the tax bill, which introduced mandatory minimum tax rates and eliminate tax exemptions previously granted under NEPZA and OGFZA, could lead to capital flight, job losses and legal disputes that would disrupt economic stability.

    The National President of NACCIMA, Dele Kelvin Oye, raised concerns that the bill’s provisions would subject FTZs to state and local government taxes, a departure from the original legal framework that protected the zones from multiple taxation.

    Oye, who is also the Chairman of the Organised Private Sector in Nigeria, highlighted key recommendations, including the removal of the proposed tax provisions affecting FTZs, an amendment of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, OGFZA, laws to maintain tax incentives, and a suspension of the new tax laws for 10 to 15 years to allow businesses adjust their financial models.

    He said:  “Today, Nigeria boasts several successful Free Trade Zones, including the Lekki Free Zone, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, and others. These zones have collectively attracted over $200 billion in foreign investments and created more than 600,000 jobs.

    “They play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic growth by enhancing export activities and providing a regulatory framework that facilitates business operations.4. Private Sector Leadership in FTZ Operations. It is vital to highlight that the majority (98%) of the Free Trade Zones in Nigeria are privately owned and developed.

    “This demonstrates the inherent capacity of the private sector to drive economic development. The involvement of private entities raises the importance of maintaining a competitive regulatory environment that fosters investment.

    “The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 proposes amendments that threaten the operational framework of FTZs by introducing mandatory minimum tax rates and removing existing tax exemptions under NEPZA and OGFZA. These changes are poised to diminish investor confidence and negatively impact long-term investment strategies.”

    On arguments against the proposed tax amendments, NACCIMA stated:  “The proposed changes to the tax regime would lead to loss of investor confidence as the removal of foundational tax exemptions can trigger capital flight, as investors may seek jurisdictions with more favorable conditions for business.’’

    ‘On the economic and legal repercussions, Oye said:  “These amendments risk the loss of employment opportunities and hinder the growth of domestic industries reliant on FTZs.

    “The amendments could incite extensive legal challenges, ultimately destabilizing the existing economic landscape.

    “The significance of Free Trade Zones in Nigeria’s economic landscape cannot be overstated. The proposed amendments within the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 threaten the existing framework that has successfully drawn significant foreign investments and fostered economic growth. Prompt and decisive action from the Senate is crucial to ensuring stability in this vital sector.

    “We urge the committee to evaluate these concerns and take immediate action to preserve the integrity and attractiveness of Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones for both current and prospective investors.

    “By consolidating NACCIMA’s research, insights and recommendations, this presentation seeks to encourage measured discussion and legislative action to secure the economic future of Nigeria through its Free Trade Zones.’’

  • ASUU to NASS: Protect TETFund from abrogation under Nigeria Tax Bill 2024

    ASUU to NASS: Protect TETFund from abrogation under Nigeria Tax Bill 2024

    Abuja—The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has prayed the National Assembly to do all within its capacity to protect the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.

    The union said it was deeply concerned about TETFund because the agency remained a positive testament to its constructive engagements with Nigerian governments since 1992.

    It insisted that it was its considered view that abrogating the TETFund Act 2011, by design or default, would be a great disservice not just to education but also to Nigeria as a nation.

    The association’s position was contained in a presentation by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on the second day of the public hearing organised by the National Assembly on Tax Reform Bills in Abuja, yesterday.

    In the presentation, titled “Debates on the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024: Our Case for Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund,“ ASUU said it was worried over the proposed abrogation of education tax which, it claimed posed serious threats to the survival of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

    The presentation read: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has monitored with keen interest the debates about review of the tax system in the country, as proposed by the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, which is currently before the National Assembly.

    “Of particular interest to our union is the proposed abrogation of education tax which poses serious threats to the survival of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFund.

    “From any objective assessment, TETFund has been the backbone for infrastructural development, postgraduate training and research capacity building in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions in the last one-and-half decades.

    “Over 90 percent of capital projects in state and federal colleges of education, polytechnics and universities during this period were TETFund-sponsored.

    “The intervention agency has also remained the primary source of higher degree training for young academics and support staff since 2011 when the Act establishing the Education Tax Fund, ETF, was re-oriented to its original intendment of an intervention agency for the development of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

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    “ASUU is seriously worried that the education tax, called development levy, used to bankroll TETFund’s programs, is about to be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

    “Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024 states that only 50% of the development levy would be made available to TETFund in 2025 and 2026, while NITDA, NISENI, and NELFUND would share the remaining percentages.

    ‘’TETFund will also receive 66.7% in 2027, 2028 and 2029 years of assessment but zero per cent in 2030 year of assessment and, thereafter, from 2030, all funds generated from the development levy will be passed to NELFUND!

    “With all sense of responsibility, ASUU finds this development not only worrisome but also inimical to our national development objective.”

    ASUU said its position was predicated on a number of reasons, which include the following: “Taking any percentage out of education tax (development levy) to service another agency not known to the TETFund Act 2011 is illegal and should not be allowed to stand.

    “Giving zero allocation of development levy to TETFund as from 2030 is a technical way of abrogating the agency; the purported admonishment that TETFund should seek innovative ways of generating its funds is spurious and ill-advised because as a creation of an Act, the institution dies without the fund.

    “Replacing TETFund with NELFUND is comparable to killing a parent to keep a newborn child alive; it is unethical and against the principle of natural justice.

    “The impact of TETFund on the campus of every tertiary institution in Nigeria is beyond description; abrogating it will take public tertiary education many years back and undermine the modest gains in repositioning Nigerian universities for global reckoning and transformative development.

    “Annual supports given to tertiary institutions by TETFund have substantially reduced industrial crises in many tertiary institutions; renovation of old facilities and provision of new ones and opportunities for staff development,  leading to career advancement, have doused labor-related agitations on our campuses.

    “TETFund impacts not only tertiary-level education but also the secondary, down to kindergarten; it directly and/or indirectly supports the production of quality teachers and different categories of support staff in the entire educational system.

    “The Ghana Education Trust Fund, GETFund, borrowed from the Nigerian experience, while some other African countries have recently visited to understudy TETFund.   Nigeria should be improving on the operations and sustainability of the agency, not planning to emasculate or abrogate it.”

  • Cancer Society urges NASS to approveN25bn for transition of Nat’l Cancer Health to Health Insurance Fund

    Cancer Society urges NASS to approveN25bn for transition of Nat’l Cancer Health to Health Insurance Fund

    The Nigerian Cancer Society, NCS, has called on the National Assembly to appropriate N25 billion for the transition of the National Cancer Health to a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund.

    Furthermore, NCS implored the National Assembly and the Federal Government to appropriate additional funds to close N97.2 billion funding gag in the National Oncology Initiative.

    On the other hand, the organisation appealed to President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene by deploying possible measures to stop the growing migration of Nigerian medical practitioners outside the country.

    Addressing the media, Friday, in Abuja in commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Emmanuel Omonisi, expressed great worry that Nigeria is already undergoing a catastrophic Human Resource for Health (HRH) crises due to the current rate of migration of health workers to overseas.

    “We observe that, the current brain drain was attributed but not limited to poor remuneration, poor infrastructure, insecurity, low standard of living and inadequate funding for the healthcare system. This has led to migration of radiation and clinical oncologists, pathologists, oncology nursing and other categories of health workers .

    “The ideal ratio of a radiation and clinical oncologist to cancer patients is ratio 1: 250 – 500 but the ratio of the radiation and clinical oncologist to cancer patients in Nigeria is presently ratio 1: 1,800 according to the current statistics from the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON) who is a corporate member of the Nigerian Cancer Society.

    “This accounted for the increasing long queue observed in all our oncology clinics in the country.

    “I wish to specially appeal to the President and Commander In-Chief of the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the “ push and pull ‘’ factors responsible for the exodus of skilled health workers from the country, ” he said.

    According to him,”The NCS regrettably notes that cancer treatment is very expensive and beyond the capability of most patients in Nigeria, that largely rely on out-of- pocket expenses for the treatment.”

    The group encouraged Nigerians to take enrollment into the National Health Insurance Authority,NHIA, more seriously “as reliance on out-of- pocket funding by most patients is frustrating. “

    “Although, we are very grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we sincerely appreciate the role played by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in establishing the National Cancer Health Fund ( NCHF), ” it said.

    NCS said the provision in the proposed 2025 national budget for the Cancer Health Fund will cover no more than 22 patients in the entire country.

    “We are seriously pleading for the sake of indigents cancer patients in Nigeria which constituted more than seventy percent of people living with cancer in Nigeria that more funds should be allocated to the NCHF in the 2025 budget, ” Prof. Omonisi said.

    He solited donations from well-meaning Nigerians, banks, organized private sector, philanthropists, government agencies and multinational organizations to support the various activities of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS).

    “The Nigerian Cancer Society is a non-profit organization that is dependent on payment of dues from her members, and donations.

    “Our society since her establishment on 12th October, 1968 (over 56 years in existence) has been actively

    involved in assisting both Federal and State Governments in the formation of policies on cancer prevention and control.

    ” Our society has been actively involved in cancer awareness and screening all over the country but yet, it is very shameful that, the Nigerian Cancer Society has no place anywhere in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, where we can point to as our National Secretariat.

    “We are currently being accommodated by the African Health Budget Network. We also have no operating vehicles. We will appreciate the interventions of well-meaning Nigerians, the organized private sector, multinational organizations , states and federal government agencies in helping to address these needs, “he begged.

    Prof. Omonisi commended the Federal Ministry of Health for directing all cancer centres and all health institutions where cancer patients are managed to have a Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT).

    “The NCS implored the Federal Ministry of Health to follow up her earlier directive on MDT and ensure total compliance, ” he added.