Reps Committee visits NOUN, warns against non-compliance with Appropriation Act

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has visited National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN and warned against spending money not appropriated by the National Assembly.

Chairman, House Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, who made this known during the visit, said the lawmakers will not shy away from oversight which is one of the major responsibilities of the legislators with the view of ensuring transparency and accountability in the system.

Fulata said though university management like some of the government organizations can generate revenue internally and get grants from donor agencies but spending the money without regard to appropriation laws is an infraction.

According to him, a budget is an estimate of revenue (allocation from government, internally generated revenue, grants etc) and expenditure within a specified period of time. Adding that this budget proposal by the Federal Government Universities must be approved by the National Assembly and doing anything otherwise is illegal and unconditional.

Fulata also called for proper utilisation of fund in the university for the seek of sustainable growth and development of the country.

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Responding to questions on why the committee embarks on oversight visit to universities, Fulata said it is not about witch-hunting but routine exercise in line with constitutional provisions.

He said a report of their observations will be written and action will be taken on it.

The House Committee on University Education under the leadership of Fulata had recently visited University of Abuja and University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Responding to the visit, Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Olufemi Peters thanked the committee for the visit and promised to provide relevant pieces of information and documents requested by the legislators.

He noted that the visit of the lawmakers has opened their eyes to certain areas they need to improve on their services in NOUN.