Over the years, Nigeria’s public tertiary education system had grappled with chronic underfunding, infrastructural decay, weak research output, and a growing disconnect between academic institutions and national development priorities.
As confidence in the system dwindled, so too did the ability of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver globally competitive teaching, learning, and innovation. What the sector needed was not just funding, but strategic leadership with a reform-driven mindset.
That shift began in March 2022, when Arc. Sonny Echono took the helm of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). A veteran technocrat with a passion for purposeful governance, Echono set out to transform the Fund from a routine intervention agency into a catalyst for systemic renewal.
In just over three years, his leadership has redefined TETFund’s mission, driving infrastructure development, expanding digital capacity, empowering researchers, and building stronger ties between Nigerian institutions and the global academic community.
In the three years and three months since his appointment, TETFund has witnessed a wave of reforms that span governance, infrastructure, digital innovation, research, and global engagement. Echono has led a quiet but resolute revolution, one that is redefining the role of education as the bedrock of Nigeria’s development. LEADERSHIP takes a look at some of the giant strides so far.
Transparency, Efficiency and Strategic Alignment
Echono began by fixing the foundation. He ordered a comprehensive overhaul of TETFund’s operational framework to align with Nigeria’s development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and international benchmarks. Central to his approach was restoring transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Procurement systems were cleaned up, red tape slashed, and timelines shortened through more rigorous checks and monitoring. These internal reforms rebuilt trust in the Fund and laid the groundwork for faster, more targeted impact.
Delivering Impact through Infrastructure
A core mandate of TETFund is infrastructure, and under Echono’s leadership, this area has seen rapid acceleration. In just over three years, more than 950 projects have been completed in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. These include modern lecture halls, ICT centres, libraries, laboratories, and administrative buildings.
One standout priority was student accommodation. TETFund rolled out hostel construction projects nationwide, delivering thousands of new bed spaces and addressing one of the most pressing welfare gaps on campuses, safe, decent living quarters.
Digital Renaissance in Post-Pandemic Learning
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s education system to digital disruption. Echono responded swiftly. He launched a National Centre of Excellence for Digital Literacy and expanded the deployment of Learning Management Systems (LMS) across campuses.
Institutions received upgraded internet bandwidth, digital classrooms, and tools for hybrid and remote learning. This digital push has equipped Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to compete in a knowledge-driven global landscape.
Modern Medicine, Made in Nigeria
TETFund under Echono made an unprecedented move in medical education by establishing advanced medical simulation centres in six teaching hospitals. These centres are now used to train health professionals in cancer treatment, orthopaedic surgery, endourology, and other specialist areas.
The initiative has not only boosted local training standards but also reduced the dependency on foreign institutions for critical medical expertise, supporting a healthier, more self-reliant nation.
Empowering Science Through Shared Research Infrastructure
To strengthen scientific output, Echono prioritised the development of multipurpose central laboratories. These labs, sited across four regions and funded through the 2023 and 2024 budget cycles, are designed to support clusters of institutions in interdisciplinary research across agriculture, medicine, and engineering.
They are also intended to serve as hubs for innovation and industry-academia collaboration, making research outcomes more relevant and commercially viable.
The Revival of Nigeria’s Research Engine
In line with his belief in solution-oriented scholarship, Echono breathed new life into the National Research Fund (NRF). In 2022, the Fund disbursed N5.7 billion to 270 research projects. Another N5.1 billion supported 185 projects in 2023, with priority given to research addressing agriculture, public health, security, and the environment.
The new approach has shifted the culture from publishing for promotion to researching for impact.
From Concept to Commercial Value Through TETFAIR
Recognising the importance of turning ideas into products, Echono launched the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) and the Research for Impact (R4i) programme. These initiatives trained over 600 researchers in prototype development and innovation scaling.
Notable outcomes include a locally designed hearing aid for Africans, a smart intraocular pressure reader, and mobile digital health solutions for underserved communities—evidence that Nigerian researchers can produce globally relevant innovations.
Bridging the Employment Divide
With graduate unemployment on the rise, Echono sought to bridge the gap between education and industry. He introduced the National Employability Benchmarking Programme in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
As a result, Career Service Centres have been established in many tertiary institutions, offering job-readiness training, entrepreneurship development, and labour market intelligence. These centres are helping students transition more smoothly into employment or business.
Unprecedented Investment in Human Capital
Human capital development has been at the heart of Echono’s reforms. Under his leadership, over 23,000 PhD and 15,000 Master’s degree candidates have been sponsored by TETFund. Additionally, more than 77,000 academic staff have received training, including over 30,000 currently undergoing postgraduate programmes locally and internationally.
This scale of academic investment is not only unprecedented, it is transforming teaching quality, research capability, and institutional competitiveness.
Global Alliances and International Exposure
Echono expanded TETFund’s global reach by signing academic partnerships with institutions in Brazil, the UK, Belgium, Sweden, and other parts of the European Union. These agreements have enabled academic exchanges, joint research, and collaborative innovation in areas critical to national development.
These international linkages are exposing Nigerian researchers to global best practices while bringing much-needed expertise and resources back home.
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge
Academic integrity has also been strengthened. Under Echono, TETFund introduced a national anti-plagiarism software system and launched the National Academic Research Repository (NARR), creating a transparent, accountable knowledge archive.
To promote local scholarship, the Fund supported the production of over 845 peer-reviewed journals and 60 Nigerian-authored textbooks. Over 3 million books have been distributed to libraries, boosting the availability of home-grown academic materials.
In the agriculture sector, Echono launched one of TETFund’s most strategic global partnerships. Through the Agricultural Research and Innovation Fellowship for Africa (ARIFA), 120 Nigerian researchers were sent to Brazil for advanced training, in collaboration with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
Outcomes from this programme include drought-tolerant crops, improved irrigation technologies, and efficient post-harvest methods, contributions that directly support Nigeria’s food security goals.
Preparing for the Future of Work
Echono has also positioned TETFund at the frontier of the fourth industrial revolution. In 2024, the Fund approved the establishment of Centres of Excellence in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Renewable Energy, and Digital Manufacturing.
These centres are equipping Nigerian youth with future-proof skills while anchoring research in fast-growing sectors of the global economy.
Digitalising the Fund for Speed and Efficiency
Internally, Echono digitalised TETFund’s operations. From grant application systems to project tracking tools and performance dashboards, the Fund now runs on real-time data. This shift has reduced delays, improved transparency, and made TETFund more agile in serving its stakeholders.
The agency’s improved efficiency has become a model for other public institutions seeking reform.
Echono’s leadership has earned accolades both at home and abroad. He was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and awarded the Nigerian Patriotism Award. International honours include the African Leadership Excellence Award (London), Visionary Leadership in Education Award (Orlando), and a Medal of Honour from FARA in Accra.
He has also received commendations from major academic unions including ASUP, COEASU, and NAAT for his commitment to institutional development and staff welfare.
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