Union urges FG to exempt universities from Treasury Single Account

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday urged the Federal Government to exempt the nation’s universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The ASUU National President, Dr Nasir Fagge, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the union was particularly worried about the introduction of the new accounting system and its effect on the university system.

"We want to appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider this issue of TSA, particularly as it affects the universities and their operations.

"Its effect on the smooth running of our universities is not palatable.

"That is why we are asking for a re-consideration of having the universities and other institutions exempted from it.

"There are many ways of ensuring transparency and accountability,’’ he said.

Fagge said TSA had stalled the operations in many universities.

"It is very important for the Federal Government to engage the universities to develop to meet up with their mandate of researching and imparting knowledge for the benefit of humanity,’’ he said.