Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) finances has risen sharply from N320.3 billion in 2023 to N1.6 trillion in 2025, reflecting elevated federal authorities funding in tertiary schooling.
Chairman of TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, disclosed this on the 2026 National Town Hall Meeting of the Fund held in Abuja yesterday.
Masari stated the determine rose from N320.3 billion in 2023 to N683.4 billion in 2024 earlier than hitting N1.6 trillion in 2025, about 5 instances the 2023 allocation, demonstrating President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to human capital improvement.
He nevertheless burdened that the elevated funding should translate to tangible ends in tutorial efficiency, analysis output and graduate employability.
Masari disclosed that 271 establishments are lined beneath the 2026 annual direct intervention, with about N2.526 billion for every college, N1.871 billion for every polytechnic and N2.057 billion for every faculty of schooling.
He stated the Fund dedicated N10 billion in 2026 to abilities acquisition centres in polytechnics, supported innovation and entrepreneurship services in 12 universities, and authorized N48 billion for upgrading engineering and expertise services.
He added that about N6.09 billion was authorized for 174 profitable analysis proposals beneath the 2025 National Research Fund grant cycle, whereas presidential approval has been secured for six extra Centres of Excellence in robotics, coding, Artificial Intelligence, machine studying and cybersecurity, bringing the whole to 36 centres.
Masari urged beneficiary establishments to make sure transparency, prudent administration and correct upkeep of services, warning that funding alone can’t repair all challenges.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated authorities is pushing curriculum reforms to provide graduates with sensible, industry-relevant abilities, commending TETFund for supporting infrastructure, analysis and specialised tools.
Alausa stated reforms embrace a proposed 80 p.c sensible and 20 p.c theoretical curriculum mannequin, with 36 new and reviewed National Diplomas, 10 extra ND programmes, 30 National Certificates in Education and 21 National Occupational Standards already produced 27 new and 4 reviewed.
He stated programmes will proceed to be aligned with labour market calls for, and that initiatives like NELFUND will broaden entry in order that monetary hardship, incapacity or location doesn’t block certified Nigerians from finishing schooling.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described schooling as important to human capital improvement and nationwide productiveness, calling for efficient monitoring and clear reporting to make sure investments ship influence.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed that over 418 tasks are prepared for commissioning throughout beneficiary establishments, with 14 tasks at one establishment alone.
He stated the Fund is increasing investments in infrastructure, analysis, pupil welfare, innovation and digital studying, supporting pupil innovation from thought improvement to mental property safety and {industry} linkage.
Echono added that pupil transportation initiatives cowl 42 establishments, with about 98 colleges supplied electric-powered autos for reasonably priced pupil transport, whereas the Fund is working with the Ministry of Labour to align abilities improvement with manpower wants.
