The chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, has disclosed the fund’s intention to create a new intervention line aimed at addressing the pressing issues of security and power in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He recently spoke at a two-day retreat organised by the National Assembly on the theme “Challenges of Security and Power in Higher Institutions” in Lagos.
In a press statement, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, director of public affairs at Masari, underscored education’s pivotal role in the nation’s development and the urgent need for improved funding in the sector.
“Threats to security and inadequate power supply pose significant risks to the stability and success of our higher institutions. These issues not only jeopardise the safety of students and staff but also negatively impact academic performance and the overall functioning of institutions,” he noted.
The BOT Chairman highlighted the importance of channelling support towards addressing these critical challenges. Therefore, he called on the National Assembly to revisit the funding structure for public institutions, which serve over 90% of Nigeria’s tertiary education students.
“Education is the bedrock of national progress, and its funding must reflect its importance. We need to spark a national conversation about sustainable financing models that can ensure the future of higher education in Nigeria,” he emphasised
Lawmakers at the retreat included Senator Muntari Dandutse, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, and Hon Miriam Onuoha, chairman of the House Committee on TETFund, as well as former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
