TETFund bars institutions with abandoned projects from new interventions

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a strict new policy: tertiary institutions with delayed or abandoned TETFund-funded projects will be barred from accessing new interventions in the 2027 allocation cycle. This decision aims to tackle the persistent issue of project delays that have plagued beneficiary institutions.

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The Board of Trustees has taken a final stand on the issue of delay in completion of approved projects in all its beneficiary institutions, warning that affected institutions will not get approval to commence new projects in the 2027 allocation cycle.

Aminu Masari, Chairman of TETFund's Board of Trustees, stated that the board has adopted a "final stand" on the matter after observing a continued failure by many institutions to complete approved projects within the stipulated timelines. Although external factors like fluctuating construction material prices initially contributed to delays, TETFund introduced a special intervention line in 2023 to help institutions complete affected projects, which has shown significant success.

Despite the progress made with the dedicated intervention, Masari lamented the ongoing occurrence of delayed projects. He attributed these fresh delays primarily to institutional leadership and administrative bottlenecks, rather than funding constraints. He noted that the lack of continuity in project implementation by institutional heads, who often prefer initiating new projects, and delays in processing contractor payments are largely responsible for these avoidable setbacks.

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The continued occurrence of non-adherence to stipulated timelines in completing TETFund-sponsored projects is unacceptable.

Masari stressed that projects financed by TETFund "will not be allowed to be negatively impacted by internal bureaucracy and politics within beneficiary institutions." To permanently resolve this recurring challenge, the Board has approved a series of measures aimed at ensuring timely project completion and accountability.

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