The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has announced that four out of the six proposed multi-purpose zonal laboratories across Nigeria will be fully equipped and operational before the year 2027, in a major push to strengthen scientific research, innovation, and industrial development in the country.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the report of the Advisory Committee on the Equipping of TETFund Multi-purpose Zonal Laboratories, chaired by former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki.
The committee, inaugurated on February 17, 2026, was tasked with advising TETFund on the most suitable scientific and technological equipment for the six regional laboratories spread across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Speaking during the presentation, Echono explained that the vision for establishing central multi-purpose laboratories was conceived more than a decade ago but suffered delays after government priorities shifted toward the creation of new universities rather than investment in regional research infrastructure.
He stressed that recent global developments in science, technology, and public health have reinforced the urgent need for Nigeria to develop world-class laboratories capable of supporting research, innovation, and industrial transformation.
According to him, the laboratories are expected to serve as strategic engines of growth that will boost scientific advancement and restore national confidence in Nigeria’s research capacity.
Echono revealed that Bayero University Kano is among the first institutions nearing completion, with equipment installation expected to commence before August this year.
He added that three additional laboratories are projected to reach advanced completion stages by February next year, bringing the number of operational centres to four before 2027.
The TETFund boss explained that the projects are being implemented in phases due to funding constraints, noting that the agency deliberately aligned equipment procurement with the completion of the buildings to avoid situations where facilities are commissioned without functional equipment.
He further disclosed that members of the advisory committee would continue monitoring the implementation process to ensure that all equipment supplied meets approved technical specifications and international quality standards.
The oversight process, he said, would include pre-shipment inspections where necessary.
Earlier, committee chairman Chris Maiyaki stated that the team reviewed policy documents and conducted verification visits to the six host institutions, which include Bayero University Kano, Yakubu Gowon University, University of Lagos, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, and the University of Port Harcourt.
Maiyaki noted that construction progress differs across the institutions, with Bayero University Kano currently recording about 80 percent completion, while some other sites remain at early stages of development.
Stakeholders believe the successful completion of the laboratories could significantly improve Nigeria’s research ecosystem, strengthen university-industry collaboration, and enhance the country’s competitiveness in science and technology-driven sectors.