National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has stressed importance of continuous existence of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

Speaking in Lagos at its 86th National Senate Sitting and Pre-convention, NANS Senate President, Babatunde Afeez, noted that TETFUND had impacted tertiary institutions in infrastructural development,  capacity building, research and innovative activities.

He said the agency should not be ‘tampered’ with for any reason, but be properly funded and managed by people, who are competent and with integrity to enable it to perform better.

He said a clarification was necessary regarding whether the proposed Tax Reform Bill would affect the agency.

“Every Nigerian knows importance of TETFUND in our schools as the agency’s projects are everywhere across campuses. We don’t know what would have happened in our campuses if TETFUND were not in existence. And that is why the agency should not be tampered with for any reason,” he said.

Akinteye said  no to fee hike again by any public school in the country, stressing  NELFUND’s loans or any other consideration can’t be used as yardstick to justify any fee increment. 

Earlier, National President of NANS, Lucky Emonefe, hailed students for their support and cooperation with the leadership of the union, assuring them of continuously serving their interests.

He said while TETFUND remains, NANS  would continue to sensitise members, who need help, to access NELFUND.

According to him, students need not know anybody before they can secure loan from NELFUND as its operations are fair and transparent.

Emonefe, while giving his administration’s score card in the last one year, he said the next national convention will hold in March in Abuja.

[TheNation