SSAUTHRIAI Urges Inclusion Of Colleges Of Agriculture, Others Into Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund

*Appeals to FG for full recognition of colleges as tertiary institutions

By; BASHIR BELLO DOLLARS, Abuja

Sector Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes And Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) Colleges of Agriculture and related colleges in Nigeria, Com. Shadrack Idris, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic transformation agenda and commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers by launching the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) that provides interest-free loans of up to N10 million to public tertiary institutions staff in Nigeria.

In a statement he personally signed, made available to our correpondent on Sunday September 7, 2025, Com. Idris, however, urged the President and relevant stakeholders to urgently recognize Colleges of Agriculture and related colleges as tertiary institutions, enabling them to benefit from the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund and participate in other tertiary institution programmes.

These colleges, including Federal Colleges of Agriculture, Federal Colleges of Animal Health Production and Technology, Federal Colleges of Forestry, Federal Cooperative Colleges, Federal Colleges of Land Resources, and Federal Colleges of Fisheries and Marine Technology and other related Colleges, have significantly contributed to nation-building through training technical manpower in agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, and more.

“Their programmes are accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) with qualified lecturers and they fill academic programmes, and their graduates participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. Despite awarding National and Higher National Diplomas, these colleges have been denied recognition as tertiary institutions,” he said.

Com. Idris called on the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Environment, Livestock Development, and Marine and Blue Economy, as well as the Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), to recognize these colleges as tertiary institutions and advocate for their entitlements.

“The Act establishing the Tertiary Institutions Trust Fund should be amended to include these colleges.

“Their affiliation to research institutes should not disqualify them from tertiary institution status.Com. Idris urged the Federal Government to resolve this long-standing issue, emphasizing that recognition would enhance productivity and enable the colleges to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s development,” he stressed.

Com. Idris expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration in resolving these issues, noting that the Honourable Minister of Education should recognize the contributions of all tertiary institutions under different ministries in achieving a great nation.