Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education, has rejected media claims suggesting that lawmakers sought N480 million as a condition for sanctioning the 2025 budgets of various universities.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, Fulata described the allegations as an attempt to undermine the committee’s efforts to enhance educational standards in Nigeria.
He expressed his concerns regarding the misinformation that could mislead the public about the committee’s activities and the work of the 10th House of Representatives.
Fulata called it absurd for anyone to propose that lawmakers were requesting even a minimal amount as a prerequisite for budget approval.
He also outlined the committee’s initiatives aimed at improving conditions for learning in universities, noting that some university administrations were reluctant to provide their stewardship reports.In his remarks, Fulata highlighted that the committee conducted oversight visits to all federal universities under its purview in 2024, with the exception of the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara, where he alleged that the university’s authorities blocked access for lawmakers and failed to furnish them with necessary documents regarding budget executions for 2022 and 2024, along with the 2025 budget proposal.
He argued that if President Bola Tinubu could present the Federal Government’s budget to the National Assembly, there was no reason for any vice-chancellor to avoid defending their institution’s budget request.Instead, Fulata accused the vice-chancellors of resorting to blackmail, smear tactics, and orchestrating public outcry against the committee.
He further stated, “The committee has raised this issue with the leadership of the House, urging that budgets of institutions whose heads refuse to come forward to defend their proposals should not be approved.”Fulata urged journalists to verify information thoroughly before reporting it.
He affirmed the committee’s and the House’s commitment to ensuring that academic activities in higher education continue smoothly while working to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria. NAN
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