Exposed: Nigerian Senators Allegedly Took Secret Payouts For University Budget Approvals (See list)

Exposed: Nigerian Senators Allegedly Took Secret Payouts For University Budget Approvals (See list)

Some members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) have reportedly disclosed how funds collected from universities to facilitate the approval of their 2025 budgets were distributed.

Despite the National Assembly’s denial of extorting tertiary institutions, some lawmakers allegedly told Premium Times that they received $1,000 each as “appreciation money.”…….READ ALSO

However, they claimed they were unaware of the source of these funds until the publication exposed the scheme.

Earlier investigations revealed that the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, along with the House Committee on University Education, allegedly demanded ₦8 million from each federal university. In total, lawmakers reportedly collected ₦480 million from university administrators, allegedly threatening to “deal with” vice-chancellors who refused to comply.

One anonymous source disclosed:

“Many senators on the committee each received $1,000 as ‘appreciation money.’ Most of them were unaware of the scheme and received the money in envelopes without knowing its origin.”

Another lawmaker confirmed the report, explaining that while such payments are considered routine by some lawmakers, others refuse to accept them. The source cited two senators from Sokoto and Lagos who reportedly declined participation in the sharing of funds.

Additionally, Premium Times alleged that another group of National Assembly committees collected ₦528 million from 66 polytechnics and colleges of education to approve their budgets.

The revelations have sparked concerns over financial transparency and accountability in the country’s education sector.