TETFund Charges Institutions on Efficient Resource Management, Research Excellence

TETFund Charges Institutions on Efficient Resource Management, Research Excellence

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr. Sonny Echono, has called on tertiary institutions and beneficiary agencies to manage the additional resources provided to them with efficiency, emphasizing that these funds come with increased responsibilities.

Speaking at a retreat for members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) in Lagos, themed *“Education in the Renewed Hope Agenda”*, Echono stressed the need for institutions to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge research that would contribute to the nation’s development.

Increased Resources, Heightened Expectations

Echono underscored the direct support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, noting that this backing strengthens TETFund’s mission of transforming Nigeria’s education landscape. He emphasized the critical role education plays in national development, asserting that sectors such as healthcare and agriculture rely heavily on research and skilled manpower produced by educational institutions.

“Education is the foundation of every development effort,” Echono stated. “Whether it’s healthcare delivery, agriculture modernization, or technological advancement, all are rooted in the education sector.”

Ensuring Timely Execution of Projects

He urged beneficiary institutions to be diligent in dealing with third parties, such as contractors, by ensuring prompt payments. This, he explained, would help avoid delays caused by inflationary trends and ensure projects are completed on time and at the right quality.

“We expect institutions to enhance their supervision mechanisms. In addition, TETFund will introduce more efficient monitoring systems to ensure that the quality of the projects delivered is of the highest standard,” he added.

A Collaborative Push for Excellence

The retreat also served as a platform to sensitize the Board of Trustees (BoT) and key players in the education sector, including members of the National Assembly, on their roles in the sector’s transformation. Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, the BoT Chairman and former Governor of Katsina State, expressed his commitment to advancing tertiary education. He urged board members to leverage their expertise to improve Nigeria’s higher education system.

Masari also paid tribute to the founding fathers of TETFund and acknowledged the pivotal role the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) played in its establishment, which has been instrumental in sustaining public tertiary institutions.

TETFund’s Role in Transforming Higher Education

Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), delivered a paper titled *“The Role of the Board of Trustees in Transforming the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria”*. He highlighted the indispensable role TETFund plays in the survival and functionality of public tertiary institutions. Without TETFund, Rasheed noted, many institutions would struggle to maintain operations, let alone excel in research and development.

Expanding Special Interventions for Greater Impact

In another presentation, Prof. Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, emphasized the need for TETFund to expand its special interventions to include priority areas specific to individual institutions. He urged the fund to explore opportunities for installing independent electricity plants in older universities due to rising energy costs and the recent shift to off-grid power supply in the country.

Igwe also proposed that TETFund position itself as a leader in technological innovation by establishing fabrication laboratories across the country’s zones. These labs could serve as hubs for creative innovation and the development of technological solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges.

A Vision for Nigeria’s Educational Future

Prof. Igwe commended Mr. Sonny Echono and the TETFund team for creating an environment where institutions can efficiently access their allocations. He expressed optimism that, under the new leadership of the BoT, tertiary education in Nigeria would be elevated to unprecedented heights.

The retreat concluded with a shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s education sector through strategic resource management, cutting-edge research, and technology-driven solutions.