The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has revealed the agency’s extensive support for tertiary education in Nigeria, including funding over 5,525 physical infrastructural projects and providing numerous other academic resources.

Speaking at the 26th seminar of the Nigerian Academy of Education in Abuja, Echono highlighted the significant contributions of TETFund in enhancing the quality and capacity of tertiary institutions across the country.

In his presentation titled “Funding of Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” Echono outlined various initiatives and projects undertaken by TETFund to bolster education and research in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Among the notable achievements, Echono stated that TETFund has awarded grants for 19,297 Institution Based Research (IBR) projects and supported 912 research projects under the National Research Fund (NRF). These initiatives aim to foster impactful research addressing national development challenges and global issues.

Furthermore, TETFund has sponsored several research and innovation programs such as Research for Impact (R4i), TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR), and the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) to promote research uptake and commercialization of research outcomes.

Echono also highlighted TETFund’s efforts in capacity building, including sponsoring academic staff for PhD and Master’s degree programs both locally and internationally. Additionally, the agency has facilitated academic staff participation in international and local conferences, as well as benchwork and post-doctoral programs to strengthen scientific research capacity in Nigeria.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s improved ranking in Time Higher Education Rankings between 2021-2022, Echono emphasized the need for continued support to bridge existing gaps in tertiary education funding. He advocated for the exploration of alternative revenue sources and partnerships with funding agencies and development partners to sustain the quality of education delivery in Nigeria.

Echono urged tertiary institutions to prioritize research and development activities, establish functional Business Development Offices, and engage in entrepreneurship initiatives to generate revenue and ensure self-sufficiency.

As TETFund continues its commitment to enhancing tertiary education in Nigeria, Echono reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts between government, institutions, and stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and excellence in higher education.