TETFund Warns Institutions Over Poor Use Of Funds

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has issued a warning to public tertiary institutions that failure to properly manage allocated project funds could lead to removal from its intervention programme.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, delivered the message in Abuja at a two-day strategic workshop for directors of physical planning, academic planning, and ICT from institutions currently benefiting from the Fund. The event was part of efforts to improve compliance and enhance the quality of project execution in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

According to Echono, institutions that fail to access, utilise, or properly account for intervention funds will be penalised. He said any school that underperforms or does not meet set standards risks being delisted. The move, he explained, is not meant to punish but to protect the integrity of the intervention system and ensure public funds serve their purpose.

Echono stressed that TETFund’s goal is to build stronger institutions through better planning, accountability, and timely project delivery. He said the workshop was organised to strengthen the capacity of key personnel to manage projects effectively and align with the Fund’s guidelines. Participants were urged to take ownership of their roles and work closely with the Fund to avoid delays and failures.

He said TETFund would continue to push for transparency and value for money in all interventions, noting that repeated lapses in implementation across some institutions had become a serious concern.

As part of its 2025 strategy, TETFund is also shifting some of its funding priorities. One major change is the suspension of its foreign training programme under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), which took effect from January 1, 2025. Echono explained that the suspension was necessary due to the high cost of overseas education and the increasing number of scholars who fail to return after completing their studies abroad.

He added that despite the suspension, the Fund remains committed to academic staff development and will continue supporting postgraduate studies and training within Nigeria, especially those that offer good results at a lower cost.

Echono also highlighted renewed efforts in research and innovation. He announced an increase in funding for key initiatives like the National Research Fund, the Research and Innovation Fund, and the Triple Helix Model — a platform that connects universities, industries, and government to solve real-world problems.

These programmes, he said, are expected to generate ideas and technologies that improve agriculture, health, and the wider economy. TETFund also hopes to encourage research that can be commercialised and foster collaboration across institutions.

The workshop, which took place in all six geo-political zones, featured presentations, discussions, and training sessions aimed at addressing challenges and finding practical ways to improve project outcomes. Participants were urged to make the most of the opportunity and ensure their institutions meet the expectations of the Fund moving forward.