Seven-man panel has been inaugurated by the Nigerian government to audit the utilisation of grants for the take off projects in 12 new federal universities.

Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said the audit of the institutions was in line with the present government’s stance on transparency and accountability in public affairs.

Financial impropriety
Adamu stated that the audit was necessitated by complaints and petitions from stakeholders and the new vice chancellors of the 12 universities as well as community leaders.

According to him, the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission, EFCC, is currently investigating a number of allegations of financial impropriety arising from the utilisation of grants in some universities.

“The 7-man panel is set up to assess the status of all projects executed using the take off grants released to the universities,” he said.

Adamu added that individuals of proven integrity and repute were selected in handling various aspects of the assignment.

‘Committee’
In its terms of reference, the committee is to determine the actual amount released to the National Universities Commission by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

The committee is to identify and confirm the number of contracts awarded including contract sums under the take off grants.

It will also determine the amount paid on each project, including outstanding claims and make recommendations for any issue relating to projects implementation in the 12 universities.

Members of the panel are; Professor Olufemi Bamiro, former vice chancellor of University of Ibadan and Mr Lawal Abubakar. Others are; Engineer Mansur, Architect Umar Aliyu, Mr Friday Ezenwa, Professor Patrick Oshio and Barrister Kefas Magaji.