FG warns varsities against diversion of NEEDS funds

The federal government has warned varsities and other tertiary institutions in the country against the misuse or diversion of funds allocated to them under the NEEDs Assessment scheme, launched by government last year.
The Director Tertiary Education, of the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, who gave the warning in Abuja during an exclusive interview with Daily Times, said reports that the management of some federal universities were already diverting the funds into the establishment of university staff schools and other ventures not captured in the NEEDs assessment programme is unacceptable to government, and that such schools contravening the programme may be sanctioned.
She recalled that a retreat was earlier organised for the top leadership, including the Vice Chancellors and members of the governing council of the various universities on the application of the funds before disbursing the funds to them, and wondered why the rush to deviate from the original cause of action already outlined for them.
In another development, Hajia Abdulahi has advised applicants wishing to establish private universities in the country to be adequately prepared in line with the set National University Commission (NUC) guidelines before coming forward with their application letters, warning that government will not compromise standards in the drive to open up access and promote increased enrollment in tertiary education.