Senate Procurement Committee defends TETFund oversight, dismisses illegality claims By Chris Mark
Senate Procurement Committee defends TETFund oversight, dismisses illegality claims
By Chris Mark
The Senate Committee on Public Procurement, chaired by Emmanuel Olajide Ipinsagba, has dismissed as “baseless and legally inaccurate” allegations that its recent oversight visits to tertiary institutions are illegal, unconstitutional or a duplication of roles.
In a statement issued by the Media Team of the senator, the committee said the accusations were a deliberate attempt to evade public accountability, insisting that its actions were firmly rooted in constitutional and statutory provisions.
The committee cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to investigate the disbursement and administration of funds appropriated by it. It noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), being a creation of the National Assembly, falls squarely within the Senate’s oversight jurisdiction, including the authority to trace funds to the final point of execution.
It also referenced Section 62(1) of the Constitution, which permits the Senate to delegate investigative powers to its committees. According to the statement, the Committee on Public Procurement is the sole committee mandated to conduct due diligence on procurement processes across federal institutions, including projects funded by Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
Addressing claims that it must await reports from the Bureau of Public Procurement before acting, the committee described such arguments as a flawed interpretation of the Public Procurement Act.
While acknowledging that the Bureau of Public Procurement serves as a regulator under the executive arm, the committee stressed that the legislature operates independently and retains constitutional authority to provide checks and balances.
It further argued that the administrative oversight of the Bureau does not override the Senate’s investigative jurisdiction.
Legislative oversight, it said, has historically exposed procurement irregularities such as contract splitting and inflated bills of quantities that may escape internal executive audits.
On allegations that it is unfairly targeting tertiary institutions implementing TETFund projects, the committee maintained that its focus is risk-based and data-driven.
It pointed out that TETFund accounts for over 60 per cent of capital infrastructure development in Nigerian tertiary education, making it the largest pool of procurement activity in the sector.
According to the committee, prioritising oversight in areas with high expenditure and numerous petitions, including complaints of abandoned projects and non-competitive bidding in certain geopolitical zones, is a strategic and lawful approach.
The committee also rejected allegations of harassment and financial demands, describing them as “blackmail tactics” by individuals uncomfortable with transparency.
It explained that all requested documents, including bids, award letters, certificates of no objection and valuation certificates, are standard public records required in routine procurement audits.
It added that its oversight visits are conducted openly, often in the presence of technical experts, institutional staff and the media, stressing that any claims of illegal demands should be substantiated with concrete evidence rather than anonymous grievances.
Clarifying concerns over jurisdictional overlap, the committee noted that while the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education oversees academic and administrative matters within the education sector, the Public Procurement Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance with procurement laws across all federal ministries, departments and agencies, including TETFund.
“The fact that an institution delivers academically does not exempt its procurement processes from scrutiny,” the statement said, adding that infrastructure projects must meet both quality and cost standards in line with procurement regulations.
The committee vowed not to be intimidated by what it described as coordinated media attacks, reiterating that its oversight functions are anchored in the Constitution and the Public Procurement Act 2007.
It assured that any institution that has managed TETFund interventions with integrity has nothing to fear from a document review, pledging to ensure that every kobo allocated through TETFund is reflected in the quality of infrastructure on Nigerian campuses.
