Recognising its groundbreaking approach to educational funding and development, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been honored with the 2024 Anthology Visionary Award.
The award highlights the organisation’s commitment to advancing educational infrastructure and supporting academic excellence through innovative strategies and initiatives.
It also underscores TETFund’s role as a leader in transforming education and driving meaningful progress in the sector.
The TETFund director, Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said the feat was made possible through the agency’s significant contributions to integrating technology into Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions’ curricula and instructional methods.
The award ceremony, held at the Orlando World Center in the United States, drew an audience of over 2,000 global academic leaders.
The executive secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who accepted the award on behalf of the agency, emphasised that TETFund’s initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to revamp Nigeria’s education sector and ensure that all graduates achieve digital literacy before completing their studies.
Recall that on October 17, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Prof. Tahir Mamman, introduced the Tertiary Education Research and Application Systems (TERAS) and Beneficiaries Identity Management System (BIMS) at the Federal Ministry of Education Auditorium in Abuja.
This initiative, spearheaded by TETFund in collaboration with Anthology and Blackboard, aims to create a more inclusive educational environment, enhance research and teaching, and improve student services across tertiary institutions.
Echono highlighted the essential role of digital literacy in today’s educational and employment landscapes, noting that while many countries have successfully incorporated digital skills into their curricula, Nigeria faces challenges such as outdated curricula, insufficiently trained educators, and inadequate infrastructure. These gaps result in graduates who are not fully prepared for technology-driven job markets.
To address these issues, he said TETFund is supporting over 280 public tertiary institutions with a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students achieve digital literacy. The agency’s plan includes phased curriculum integration, educator training, global partnerships, and the establishment of a National Center of Excellence for Digital Literacy and Emerging Skills.
During the event, participants were briefed on TETFund’s efforts to adopt learning management systems and improve student information management through advanced technology.
In a related development, Echono has underscored the pivotal role of education and entrepreneurship in Africa’s path to greatness.
Speaking at the 9th Africa Leadership Magazine Summit in London, Echono emphasised that integrating education with entrepreneurial skills is essential for unlocking Africa’s potential.
Receiving the Africa Leadership Excellence Award in Educational Development from Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis, Echono highlighted the summit’s theme, “Africa Unleashed: Navigating Disruptions, Enhancing Opportunities,” as a call to action for global leaders.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the event aimed to mobilise policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders to explore sustainable socio-economic strategies for the continent.
Echono advocated for robust policies and strategies to help Africa overcome obstacles and seize opportunities.
He called for a multifaceted approach to harnessing Africa’s potential, focusing on leadership reforms, effective use of funding for infrastructure, and enhancing regional integration.
Addressing leadership issues, Echono stressed the need for genuine democratic practices, good governance, and transparency to achieve political stability and economic growth.
He also called for the efficient use of international funds to drive major infrastructure projects, particularly in energy, transportation, and communications.
