Nigerian senators admit receiving ‘appreciation money’ in budget bribery scandal

Some members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND have confirmed receiving $1,000 as “appreciation money” amid allegations that the National Assembly extorted federal universities to approve their 2025 budgets.

Speaking to Premium Times, the lawmakers admitted to receiving the money in envelopes but claimed they were unaware of its source until the report exposed the scheme.

Earlier, an investigation revealed that the Senate and House committees on tertiary education had demanded ₦8 million from each federal university, coercing vice-chancellors into paying a total of ₦480 million.

Those who refused were reportedly threatened with political consequences.

A senator from the committee, who spoke anonymously, said most members were kept in the dark about the scheme, with only chairpersons, deputies, and clerks controlling operations.

“The chairpersons, deputies, and clerks run many committees. Sometimes, we don’t even know who the committee members are,” the lawmaker said.

The report further exposed how lawmakers allegedly extorted ₦528 million from 66 polytechnics and colleges of education, demanding payments in exchange for passing their budgets.

Meetings were held in January, where the Senate and House committees allegedly instructed rectors and provosts to pay ₦8 million per institution, with payments made in cash to avoid traceability.

Despite these revelations, the National Assembly has denied the allegations. However, sources indicate that lawmakers are now attempting to discredit the investigation while using legislative threats to silence vice-chancellors.

In response to the allegations, Hassan Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, accused the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Abubakar Gusau, of insubordination for allegedly denying lawmakers access to the institution. However, this claim only surfaced after the corruption report was published.

As pressure mounts, some officials have resorted to pledging loyalty to lawmakers, fearing retaliation through legislative means.