How Nigerian Lawmakers Are Extorting N480 Million from Universities for 2025 Budget Approval – Report

An investigation by Premium Times has uncovered a bribery scheme in which Nigerian lawmakers are extorting federal universities, demanding N8 million from each institution before approving their allocations in the 2025 budget. The scheme, involving both the Senate and House of Representatives committees overseeing tertiary education, is expected to generate N480 million.

Vice-chancellors from 60 federal universities are being pressured to comply, with two vice-chancellors from the North-Central and North-West zones coordinating the payments to avoid detection. Lawmakers have reportedly used threats, intimidation, and the risk of budget rejection to enforce compliance.

The extortion plot was initiated by the House Committee on University Education, chaired by Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa), during a 16 January meeting with vice-chancellors. Lawmakers accused university heads of being uncooperative and issued firm instructions regarding payments. Sources say they “cajoled, threatened, and humiliated” some vice-chancellors, making it clear that refusal could result in probes or the non-approval of their budgets.

Despite growing frustration among university administrators, the lawmakers escalated their threats. Some vice-chancellors raised concerns about potential investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), recalling a similar scheme exposed in 2023. That earlier investigation revealed lawmakers using Bureau De Change operators to collect bribes from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Although the ICPC launched a probe, little progress has been reported.

When contacted for a response, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare dismissed the claim that the agency had been compromised but did not provide an official statement as promised.

To cover their tracks, lawmakers have devised a system that funnels funds through multiple bank accounts held by proxies, making it difficult to trace transactions. Some university heads remain reluctant to comply, citing concerns over repeated extortion and the financial burden on already underfunded institutions.

A particular target of the lawmakers’ pressure is Muazu Gusau, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Gusau. During the 16 January meeting, lawmakers singled him out for refusing to cooperate, vowing to “deal with” him. Sources suggest Mr. Gusau may have rejected previous extortion attempts, making him a focus for retaliation.

Closed-door meetings have become a preferred method for lawmakers to negotiate bribes, with committees known for excluding press coverage to limit scrutiny. Attempts to reach Mr. Fulata for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.

This latest bribery scandal comes amid longstanding financial struggles for Nigerian universities. The federal government has failed to meet funding commitments to universities, despite agreements dating back to 2009. While the number of public universities has increased, funding remains inadequate, with most allocations covering only salaries. Infrastructure development is heavily reliant on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which lawmakers are now pressuring for control.

Last year, a similar report revealed lawmakers demanding N5 million from universities to pass the 2024 budget. This year’s increased demand of N8 million further strains university finances, leaving vice-chancellors to navigate both chronic underfunding and persistent legislative extortion.