TETFund is key to saving Nigeria's higher education, says CPA

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is a vital lifeline for Nigeria's struggling higher education sector, preventing deeper infrastructural decay and academic decline in public institutions, according to the Centre for Public Accountability (CPA).

Olufemi Lawson, Executive Director of CPA, stated that findings from an independent assessment show TETFund remains indispensable for the survival and development of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. The CPA's assessment involved months of investigative and monitoring activities across Nigeria, evaluating TETFund's projects, transparency, and performance under Executive Secretary Sonny Echono.

“

Our findings indicate that TETFund has continued to play a strategic and indispensable role in the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Lawson highlighted that despite economic challenges, TETFund has sustained intervention programs to improve learning conditions and institutional capacity. Records indicate that between 2011 and 2024, TETFund disbursed over ₦1.8 trillion to public tertiary institutions. Universities received more than ₦918 billion, polytechnics over ₦461 billion, and colleges of education over ₦458 billion. These interventions have resulted in over 152,000 infrastructural projects, including lecture theaters, laboratories, libraries, and hostels.

The CPA also commended TETFund for supporting postgraduate training, academic conferences, institutional research, and digital transformation. Lawson noted that many institutions previously suffering from severe infrastructural deficits now have significantly improved learning environments due to these interventions.

“

Many institutions that previously suffered severe infrastructural deficits now possess significantly improved learning environments due to these interventions.