Budget Approval For Sale? Lawmakers Accused Of Targeting Universities In Bribery Plot

Budget Approval For Sale? Lawmakers Accused Of Targeting Universities In Bribery Plot

A recent report has exposed an alleged bribery scheme within Nigeria’s National Assembly, implicating lawmakers in extortion targeting federal universities and other tertiary institutions. According to Premium Times, some senators…Budget Approval For Sale? Lawmakers Accused Of Targeting Universities In Bribery Plot

and members of the House of Representatives are using coercion and threats to demand ₦8 million from each federal university in exchange for budget approval.

The scheme reportedly involves the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund as well as the House Committee on University Education, with both committees requiring ₦4 million each from the universities. This arrangement would see 60 federal university vice-chancellors collectively paying ₦480 million.

Sources claim that two vice-chancellors from the North Central and North West geopolitical zones have been assigned to coordinate these payments to avoid scrutiny.

The alleged scheme was initiated on January 16, 2025, during a meeting chaired by Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa), the head of the House Committee on University Education. At the meeting, vice-chancellors were reportedly issued firm instructions to comply.

An anonymous vice-chancellor described the meeting as hostile, revealing that lawmakers criticized universities for resisting demands, unlike other institutions that complied.

“They threatened us with probes if we failed to cooperate,” the source disclosed.

Despite complaints from several vice-chancellors, the lawmakers reportedly escalated their threats, becoming increasingly aggressive in their demands.

This revelation has sparked outrage and concerns over corruption in the country’s higher education sector, with calls for transparency in the 2025 budget allocation process.

For More Information And News Update, Join Ireporteronline WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaV4jB6DuMRgwqnJCF32 For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 09010649814 on Whatsapp