Tag: TETFUND

The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has awarded ₦1 billion to the Federal University Dutse (FUD) in Jigawa State for the establishment of innovation hubs and technology parks.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, and made available to reporters in Dutse. According to Bello, the fund allocation was conveyed in a letter dated June 19, 2025, signed by TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, FNIA.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, confirmed that FUD is among a select number of universities chosen to benefit from this landmark initiative by TETFund.

According to the statement “The project aims to empower the University’s students, fostering their self-reliance and equipping them to become potential employers in their respective fields”.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the innovation hubs will promote a culture of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among students thereby enhancing economic growth and human capital development in Nigeria and beyond.

Prof. Sabo maintained that the innovation hubs will contains 14 components comprise the, product Design Lab, where dynamic space is where ideas evolve into tangible solutions, blending creativity with technical expertise, 3D Printing Lab for the 3D printing lab is a haven for innovators, designers and engineers who seek to transform concept into three-dimensional reality.

The Lab will be equipped with cutting-edge 3D printing technology and an array of digital sculpting tools and Software Lab, This is a space for coding, experimentation and technological advancement. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software resources. The software lab will provide an environment where software engineers can dive deep into coding, testing and refining digital products and services.

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Other components of the of the innovation hub includes Leathercraft Workshop, that is leathercraft workshop will provides the space to explore the rich world of leatherwork and bring your artistic vision to life, Bio-Technology Lab: In the bio-technology lab, science and innovation will be use to unlock the mysteries of life through advanced biotechnological tools and techniques and Embedded Systems, Coding Lab: This lab is going to be equipped with state-of-the-art kits software and hands-on tools. The lab will be a centre for aspiring programmers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts and Electronics Lab: This lab will be offering experts’ recommendations for electronic needs of various projects and prototype developed at the hub.

“Also Textile and Fashion Design: In this workshop, designers, artists and visionaries can collaborate to elevate aesthetics in fashion and design. This workshop will allow for experimentation through traditional techniques and digital practices, Upcycling and Recycling Workshop: In this workshop, waste items will find a second chance as they are repurposed into functional and valuable items, art pieces, furniture and more, Eco Lab: This lab will focus on tackling environmental challenges through upcycling, recycling, sustainable architecture, advanced materials and circular economy principles. It will serve as a hands-on space for research, collaboration and innovation, transforming ideas into impactful ecological solutions, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) Lab: This is going to be a dynamic workstation where the mechanisms behind are dissected for better understanding and improvement with aid of stimulators and demonstrators. With modern equipment and stimulation tools, this lab empowers innovators to develop RAC systems and devices and Metal Workshop: This is a place where metals are fabricated into functional pieces and creativity takes shape through the mastery of metal”.

Prof. Sabo added, “There is also Wood Workshop: This workshop is haven for artisans, designers and woodworking enthusiasts. With an array of precision tools and top-tier equipment, space empowers creators and technicians to transform wood into intricate pieces of art, functional furniture and architectural marvels, Sustainable Energy: This lab is going to be equipped with cutting-edge technology, demonstrators and stimulators. The space will empower innovators to understand, experiment and refine sustainable energy solutions and Showrooms: The showrooms are spaces that will bring together the remarkable outcomes of various programs and initiatives, offering a glimpse into future shaped by technology, craftsmanship and visionary thinking.

“The VC explained that upon completion of this project, FUD will become an environment that brings together exceptional talent and skilled professionals among staff, students and the general public through providing access to mentorship, expert guidance, networking opportunities, and state-of-the-art technology—each of which is essential for turning innovative ideas into reality.”

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has issued a stern warning to beneficiary institutions, threatening to delist those that fail to properly utilise funds allocated for intervention projects.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a two-day strategic workshop for directors of physical planning, academic planning, and ICT from beneficiary institutions.

Echono said the workshop underscored TETFund’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system by addressing procedural gaps and ensuring institutions fully understand the agency’s intervention guidelines.

He stressed that TETFund would not tolerate underperformance or mismanagement, stating, “We will not stand idly by while some institutions fall short of expectations.”

Echono said, “Let me reiterate institutions that fail to access, utilise or retire funds in accordance with TETFund guidelines or that underperform in key academic or operational benchmarks may face delisting as TETFund beneficiaries.

“This policy is not punitive but rather a mechanism to safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of our interventions.”

Echono explained that the primary aim of the gathering was to build the capacity of key personnel responsible for planning, implementation, and monitoring of TETFund-supported projects.

He added, “Our aim is to ensure that every institution represented here is well equipped to align more effectively with the Fund’s operational procedures for greater efficiency, accountability, and developmental impact.

“This engagement is more than a routine meeting: it is a strategic convergence designed to address recurring implementation bottlenecks, improve compliance, and enhance institutional performance.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the gains from TETFund interventions are not only sustained but amplified through timely and judicious utilisation of resources.”

Echono also highlighted strategic priorities that will shape TETFund’s direction in 2025 and beyond.

On the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), he said the agency had earlier suspended its foreign training component effective January 1, 2025.

He said, “Firstly, regarding the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention, as you are all aware, the Fund has suspended the foreign training component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), effective January 1, 2025.

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“This decision, though difficult, was necessitated by the rising costs of overseas training and incidences of scholar abscondment. However, our commitment to building local academic capacity remains strong. We will continue to support rigorous local postgraduate programmes and professional development initiatives that deliver value at sustainable cost.”

He also reaffirmed TETFund’s focus on research and innovation, noting an increase in funding for various initiatives.

“Secondly, research and innovation remain central to our mandate. For 2025, we have scaled up funding to the National Research Fund (NRF), the Research and Innovation Fund, and the Triple Helix Model for research-industry collaboration.

“These initiatives are expected to generate practical solutions to national problems, particularly in technology, agriculture and healthcare, while fostering commercialization and cross-institutional partnerships,” Echono stated.

The federal government said it was mulling the idea of establishing mechanised commercial farms and livestock operations in ten universities.

The project will be handled under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2025 intervention.

Speaking while inaugurating the five-member Committee on Agricultural Commercial Farms Evaluation, Chairman, TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Masari, explained that the beneficiary institutions must meet specific criteria.

He explained that one of the criteria is owning at least 50 hectares of unencumbered land and operating a functional commercial farm with at least one agricultural value chain.

He added that the institutions must be a University of Agriculture or have a robust Faculty of Agriculture.

He revealed that under the 2025 intervention initiative, ten universities will be supported in establishing mechanised commercial farms and livestock operations in the first phase of the programme.

“Most of the institutions have submitted their Expressions of Interest, and it became necessary to constitute this committee to ensure objectivity and transparency in the selection process,” he said.

According to him, agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s socio-economic development, offering not just food security but also opportunities for poverty reduction, employment creation, and national prosperity.

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He also emphasised the importance of modern agricultural technologies such as automation, precision farming, and data analytics, which have transformed agriculture in developed economies and can do the same in Nigeria if properly harnessed.

Masari commended the committee members for their patriotism and commitment to national service, noting their presence at the event on short notice reflected their dedication to national development.

“Agriculture provides food security, generates income, and contributes to economic growth, especially in developing countries like ours. By promoting agricultural development, we are also promoting inclusive growth and reducing the urban-rural divide,” he said.

Masari noted that, historically, agriculture had been Nigeria’s economic mainstay before the oil boom, and continues to contribute significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP).

He argued that boosting productivity through research, education, and innovation would enhance national wealth, improve farmer incomes, and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.

The TETFund BoT chairman noted that eight of the Fund’s 27 Centres of Excellence focus on agriculture, adding that the agency is funding the establishment of Agricultural Research Laboratories and Demonstration Farms in six universities to improve crop and animal production through technology-driven research and training.

The Evaluation Committee, which is chaired by the Director of Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ewara Bassey, comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Livestock Development, National Universities Commission, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and TETFund’s Research & Development/Centres of Excellence Department, Secretary.

Masari outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include assessing submissions, developing evaluation templates, scoring performance, and recommending qualified institutions across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

“The constitution and composition of this committee underscore the importance we place on this project. You are expected to work as a team and deliver professionally,” he said, giving the committee a two-week deadline to submit its report.

Masari added, “With great confidence in your expertise and experience, I hereby inaugurate this Evaluation Committee on Agricultural Commercial Farms, this day, Monday, 7th July, 2025.”

He expressed optimism that their work would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s agricultural transformation.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Bassey, thanked the Fund for the opportunity to serve, saying the committee considers the task before it a call to national duty.

He expressed confidence in the quality of members selected for the committee, pledging that it would not only deliver on its mandate but also provide recommendations that would make the scheme impactful.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) received N1.024 trillion as education tax in five years. 

  Executive Secretary of the  Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TETFund and NEITI in Abuja yesterday.

The MOU is to enhance data and information sharing by the two federal agencies to improve remittances to TETFund and promote greater transparency in the extractive sector.  Orji said a substantial part of the N1.024 trillion was generated between 2019 and 2023   from the extractive sector.

He, however, clarified that money under accruals was not the same as remittances.

He said: “Allow me to share some key figures from NEITI’s audited industry reports covering the last five years.

“In 2022, total revenue accruals to TETFund stood at N322.99 billion.. In 2023, that figure rose significantly to N571.01 billion, the highest annual inflow to date. From 2019 to 2021, NEITI audit data shows that total accruals to TETFund amounted to N644.19 billion, of which N624.32 billion was disbursed.“This means that within the last five years alone (2019–2023), total revenue accruals to TETFund from Education Tax reached approximately N1.024 trillion, highlighting the centrality of the extractive sector in financing Nigeria’s tertiary education.

“These funds are drawn from the profits of companies in oil, gas, mining, manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and other sectors, many of which fall within NEITI’s audit purview.”

Orji described the agreement as both “timely and significant,”  emphasising its role in ensuring that revenues from natural resources are transparently managed and effectively utilised.

“NEITI and TETFund are united by a common goal: “to ensure that revenues earned from Nigeria’s natural resources are not only transparently managed but also efficiently deployed to promote development, reduce poverty, and advance our national aspirations,” he said.

   TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, said the MOU would deepen accountability, particularly within the oil, gas, and other extractive industries, while aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “This will ensure accountability, particularly in the oil and gas and other extractive industry sector, ensure that taxes that are due to be remitted to the education tax fund are made and even those that fail to pay are recovered, to boost revenue, to ensure that we can fulfill the purpose of Mr. President, of restoring our institutions in the shortest possible time.

“And being able to have a framework that will enable us to get accurate, up-to-date data on what these should be is something we have been working very hard on, and it will culminate in a very firm agreement between the two agencies today.”

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 The  TETFund boss said the body has not only focused on prudent expenditure but also on expanding and improving its revenue collection framework.

His words: “That has also been one of the reasons why you are seeing very significant improvements in revenue because all across our zonal offices, we have officers located there now who are working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and their staff deployed in their zonal offices to go to every entity that is supposed to be paying tax for the companies registered and eligible to pay tax.

‘’We are confirming if they are paying, verifying whether they are paying the right amount and so on. But some are more difficult, more complicated, like these offshore organisations.” 

On the potential impact of ongoing tax reforms, Echono clarified that although some terminologies will change, like education tax giving way to development levy, the core financial mechanisms would remain intact.

“But TETFund will be entitled to 50 per cent of that development (education) levy. So the same procedure, the same parameter, this same MoU will provide a framework for us to track,” he added.

  Permanent Secretary,   Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan,  said the agreement was a strategic step towards sustainable development in the education sector.

FMC completes 13th  kidney transplant surgery

From Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) IN  Umuahia, Abia State, has recorded a major medical feat with the successful completion of its 13th kidney transplant surgery.

  Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Onyebuchi Azubuike, reaffirmed the management’s commitment to advancing renal healthcare.

 Azubuike revealed that the hospital was actively working toward the establishment of a permanent renal transplant complex within the centre.  He added  that the 14th transplant is already in view