Abuja, Nigeria — May 15, 2025
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has called for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, urging universities to evolve into innovation hubs and centres for producing skilled manpower vital for national development.
Echono made the call during a meeting of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities, held as part of a knowledge-sharing programme themed “Re-thinking Governance Models for Innovation, Growth, and Resilience in Nigerian Universities.”
He emphasised that education and research are indispensable pillars for nation-building and sustainable development, stressing the need for universities to align their systems with global trends in technological advancement and entrepreneurship.
“The future of our nation depends on how well our institutions can transition from traditional learning models to centres of innovation and enterprise,” Echono said. “We must empower our universities to become engines of economic growth through research, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving.”
While reaffirming TETFund’s commitment to promoting a research-driven and innovation-oriented academic environment, Echono acknowledged the significant constraints universities face, including limited human and material resources.
He also addressed the persistent challenge of inadequate public funding for higher education, urging universities to proactively seek alternative revenue streams. According to him, the governing councils of these institutions have a critical role to play in driving reforms and supporting financial sustainability initiatives.
“Our institutions must look beyond government subventions. Diversifying funding sources and building strategic partnerships are necessary for resilience and long-term growth,” he added.
The event brought together key stakeholders in tertiary education, who discussed the need for structural reforms, improved governance, and the integration of technology into university systems as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s higher education landscape.