The Federal Government has directed the exclusion of third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutions from the Treasury Single Account.
In a letter from the National Universities Commission to Vice Chancellors, dated 6th September 2024, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, conveyed the President’s directive to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, mandating the exemption.
The directive also grants universities and research institutions the autonomy to operate their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks.
This move is expected to enhance the financial autonomy of universities and research institutions, promoting research and innovation in the country.
The letter from the NUC, signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, reads: “The National Universities Commission received the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Ref. DE/HE/37/VII/324 and dated 4th September 2024, forwarding the correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the President, State House, also vide PRES/87/MF/71/198/MBEP/15 and dated 23rd July 2024, on the above subject.”
“The letter communicates Mr President’s directive to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to exclude third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutes from the Treasury Single Account (and to grant universities and research institutes autonomy in operating their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks. Please see attached.”
The TSA has been defined as a process and tool that unifies all government accounts in a single unit for the effective management of its finances, bank and cash position. Therefore, MDA’s that are yet to comply must close all revenue accounts maintained in different Banks or branches and transfer the proceeds to the TSA maintained by the CBN.
Under this directive, it is only by the TSA that MDA’s can access funds approved in their budget. It is noteworthy that the directive is based on section 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which presumes that all revenue expended are captured in the national budget and are authorised by the National Assembly. It is also in accord with a directive to the National Economic Council to ensure MDA’s comply with the relevant laws of accounting, allocation and disbursement of funds.
