In its continued commitment to improving the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled an ambitious strategic vision for 2025 and beyond.
The vision includes a significant increase in financial support to beneficiary institutions across the country, with substantial funding aimed at enhancing infrastructure, research, and academic development.
These investments are designed to address critical gaps in the education sector, promote innovation, and ensure that Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are well-positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.
With this bold financial commitment, TETFund is not only revitalising the nation’s educational institutions but also setting the stage for long-term, sustainable growth in Nigeria’s higher education system.
At a strategic workshop with heads of institutions on the 2025 disbursement guidelines held in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, emphasised the Fund’s commitment to enhancing the impact of its interventions.
He stressed the importance of performance evaluation and strengthening partnerships between TETFund and the institutions it supports.
Looking back at 2024, Echono said significant achievements, noting that the Fund successfully implemented its approved programmes and projects.
Among the key initiatives was the introduction of the institution-based skills development programme for polytechnics and the Career Service Centres Intervention across all beneficiary institutions.
“The first phase of upgrades to workshops and laboratories, support for the National Skills Qualification Framework in polytechnics, and improvements to our centres of excellence all commenced satisfactorily,” he said.
Additionally, TETFund organised its first National Tertiary Education Research Fair from 17th to 21st November 2024.
Other key activities throughout 2024 included robust engagements with stakeholders, such as a One-Day Strategic Meeting with heads of institutions to review the 2023 Intervention Cycle, and a Two-Day Sensitization Workshop for Directors of Entrepreneurship, Career Centres, and Librarians in Abuja and Lagos. A Two-Day Interactive Session with the leadership of ASUU, SSANU, ASUP, and COEASU was also held to discuss emerging issues and the way forward for TETFund interventions.
Furthermore, a meeting with Heads of Beneficiary Institutions on November 11, 2024, allowed TETFund to gather feedback on project implementation and inputs for the proposed 2025 intervention guidelines.
“We also addressed key challenges, including distressed projects, the suspension of the foreign component of the Academic Staff Training Programme, and the need for beneficiary institutions to fully embrace and utilise the BIMS and TERAS platforms.
“We remain committed to our Research and Innovation programmes, which are central to achieving our institutional and national development goals.”
The TETFund boss acknowledged that the Fund’s intervention activities had significantly increased, aligning with national priorities outlined in the Education Sector Road Map under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and championed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. He also extended appreciation to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its sustained improvement in revenue collection.
In line with the Federal Government’s directives, Echono announced that all Physical Infrastructure Development allocations for 2025 would focus on upgrading, rehabilitating, and renovating dilapidated infrastructure in beneficiary institutions. He further emphasized that beneficiary institutions were encouraged to consult widely and prepare their projects in advance, employing the services of consultancy or physical planning units.
Under the current disbursement cycle, TETFund has significantly increased allocations for Research and Innovation, Academic Staff Training and Development, as well as Manuscript and Book Development. The numbers of beneficiary institutions for special and designated projects have also been expanded.
The 2025 Disbursement allocation is structured as follows: the total Direct Disbursement (91.08%) consists of 48.90% for Annual Direct Disbursement and 42.18% for Special Direct Disbursement. Designated Projects account for 8.72%, and Stabilization funds make up 0.20%. The allocations for beneficiary institutions are as follows:
“Each university will receive N2,560,562,352.66 under normal allocation, with an additional N300,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, making a total of N2,860,562,352.66.
“Each polytechnic will receive N1,794,335,731.71 under normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N1,994,335,731.71.
“Each College of Education will receive N1,978,428,260.79 under normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N2,178,428,260.79.”
Under the Special Direct Disbursement category, key initiatives include increased funding for the Special High Impact Programme (SHIP), completion of the National Library building in Abuja, establishment of mechanised farms in some universities, and accelerated provision of student hostels through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and direct construction in fulfilment of the President’s promise to Nigerian students.
Other key focus areas in the 2025 Disbursement Guidelines include expanding infrastructure to enhance student intake for medical and health-related programs in universities and colleges of medicine, adopting medical simulation technology, providing alternative power to selected beneficiary institutions to address energy costs, and addressing campus security, disaster recovery, and completing previously distressed projects.
Research and innovation support will continue with the provision for the National Research Fund, the institutionalization of R&D, and expanding partnerships. The Fund also plans to further the “Research Meets Industry” initiative and the commercialisation of research outcomes.
Significant investments will be made in laboratory and agricultural development, with additional funding allocated for newly approved central multipurpose research laboratories in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, along with two new laboratories.
Three new Agricultural Laboratories/Demonstration Farms will be set up, with additional support for the existing ones. Under designated projects, funding will be provided for upgrading engineering workshops and laboratories in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
There will also be increased funding for the National Skills Development/TVET programme in polytechnics.
In line with its ICT Development and Innovation roadmap, TETFund will promote the adoption and utilization of converged services, build ICT Experience Centers and Innovation Hubs across beneficiary institutions, and enforce government directives on the full utilisation of digital resources, including the Blackboard Learning Management System, thesis digitisation, and the TERAS platform.
TETFund is also establishing 12 new Entrepreneurship for Innovation Hubs in polytechnics and colleges of education. “Our TERAS platform aims to digitize and modernize learning institutions, aligning with global standards. We have consistently encouraged beneficiaries to make the best use of the platform as we sustain our collaborations and subscriptions to these learning management systems,” Echono said.
“As part of our commitment to reducing reliance on government funding, institutions are encouraged to foster partnerships with the private sector for infrastructure development and facility management, starting with student hostels.”
As the 2025 intervention cycle prepares to begin, Echono urged all Heads of Beneficiary Institutions to ensure the full utilization of their 2024 and previous allocations while fast-tracking the procurement process to access their 2025 allocations. He concluded by looking forward to engaging and fruitful discussions that would further shape TETFund’s interventions.
