The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) strongly condemns another revelation of an alleged bribery scheme orchestrated by some lawmakers in the National Assembly, as reported by Premium Times.
According to the investigative report, members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, alongside their counterparts in the House Committee on University Education, have allegedly demanded a staggering N480 million in bribes from vice-chancellors of federal universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations.
In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society group finds these allegations deeply disturbing, as they not only violate ethical and legal standards but also further entrench corruption in Nigeria’s education sector, which is already plagued by chronic underfunding and administrative challenges.
According to Suraju, “It is unacceptable that university administrators, who are entrusted with managing the country’s citadels of learning, are being subjected to intimidation and coercion by lawmakers who should be championing transparency and accountability.”
“We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately commence a thorough investigation into this matter. The lawmakers allegedly involved must be identified, investigated, and, if found guilty, prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Corruption, particularly in the education sector, undermines national development, weakens institutions, and erodes public trust in governance.”
Furthermore, HEDA urges President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to take decisive action in addressing this scandal. The National Assembly must not become a breeding ground for corruption; rather, it should uphold the principles of integrity and good governance. He added, “If these allegations, which is becoming a recurring decimal after similar allegations of extortion were leveled against the legislators are confirmed, disciplinary measures must be taken against those responsible to serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to exploit their positions for personal gain.”
HEDA remains committed to advocating for transparency, good governance, and accountability in Nigeria. “We call on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the media, the general public, and particularly managements of the higher institutions to resist and expose corruption wherever it is found. Our education sector deserves better, and those entrusted with making policies should be held accountable for their actions.”
