On Wednesday, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) threatened to delist beneficiary institutions that do not appropriately use monies allotted for intervention programs.
Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the TETFund, issued the warning in Abuja at a two-day strategic training for directors of academic planning, physical planning, and information and communication technology (ICT) from Fund-receiving institutions.
The workshop, according to Echono, demonstrates the Fund’s dedication to strengthening the nation’s postsecondary education system by filling in the gaps in its policies and procedures, especially by improving comprehension of its intervention guidelines.
He made it clear that the TET Fund will not tolerate certain institutions failing to meet standards.
“I want to stress once more that institutions that do not access, use, or retire funds in compliance with Fund guidelines, or that perform poorly in important academic or operational benchmarks, may be delisted as TETFund beneficiaries.”
He declared, “This policy is a mechanism to ensure the integrity and efficacy of our interventions, not a punitive one.”
Building the capability of key persons in charge of the design, execution, and oversight of projects sponsored by the TET Fund was the main goal of the meeting, according to Echono.
“Our goal is to make sure that each of the institutions represented here is prepared to better align with the Fund’s operational procedures in order to increase efficiency, accountability, and development impact.”
More than just a standard meeting, this engagement is a strategic convergence intended to improve compliance, address persistent implementation difficulties, and boost institutional performance.
He continued, “It is our shared duty to make sure that the benefits of TETFund interventions are not only maintained but also increased through prompt and prudent use of resources.”
The strategic initiatives that will influence the Fund’s course in 2025 and beyond were also emphasized by Echono.
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He noted that with effect from January 1, 2025, the TETFund has previously terminated the international training component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS).
“First, as you are all aware, with respect to the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention, the Fund has stopped the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) international training component, with effect from January 1, 2025.
The escalating expenses of training abroad and instances of student absconding made this decision necessary, notwithstanding the difficulty. Nonetheless, we are nonetheless steadfast in our resolve to increase local academic capacity. Strong local postgraduate programs and professional development initiatives that provide value at a sustainable cost will continue to receive our support, Echono stated.
Noting an increase in funding for several initiatives, he also reiterated the Fund’s emphasis on research and innovation.
Second, our mission still places a strong emphasis on innovation and research. The Triple Helix Model for research-industry collaboration, the National Research Fund (NRF), and the Research and Innovation Fund have all received increased money for 2025.
In addition to encouraging commercialization and inter-institutional collaborations, Echono said, “these initiatives are anticipated to generate practical solutions to national problems, particularly in technology, agriculture, and healthcare.”
The workshop included presentations of papers, Q&A sessions, and more. It was also hosted throughout the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
