The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of more than ₦6 billion in intervention funds to 271 tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2025 academic year.
The funds, approved through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will be distributed to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
Speaking at the annual disbursement meeting in Abuja, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sunny Echono, disclosed that each university will receive ₦2.52 billion, polytechnics ₦1.87 billion, and colleges of education ₦2.06 billion.
“Each university will receive ₦2,525,932,228.02, polytechnics ₦1,871,059,920.53, while colleges of education will get ₦2,056,527,973.04,” Echono said.
Echono explained that the intervention cycle will consist of:
90.75% for direct disbursement
50% annual direct intervention
40.75% special direct intervention
9.07% for designated projects
0.18% for stabilisation funds
The TETFund boss, however, expressed concern over delays by some beneficiary institutions in processing projects and securing approvals.
“We are worried about the undue delay in obtaining approval in principle and completing due process for project implementation,” he said.
He urged heads of institutions to commence procurement planning early to avoid setbacks.
Echono also criticised the slow adoption of the TERAS digital platform.
“Also worrisome is the slow and reluctant utilisation of the TERAS platform by some institutions. The Fund will be paying closer attention to this this year,” he warned.
Echono revealed that TETFund would continue to prioritise research, innovation, security infrastructure, and the completion of abandoned projects.
“Research and innovation remain a priority, with support for the National Research Fund, institutional R&D partnerships, and the Research-Meets-Industry initiative,” he said.
He added that laboratory facilities and agricultural development would receive a major boost.
“We are enhancing ongoing multipurpose laboratory projects, setting up two new ones, and creating new agricultural laboratories and demonstration farms,” Echono stated.
The Executive Secretary announced expanded investments in ICT, including digital services, internet access, and ICT Experience Centres.
“Our ICT roadmap will be further strengthened with expanded digital services and the continued advancement of the TERAS platform,” he said.
He also disclosed plans to establish Centres for Robotics, Coding, AI, and Cybersecurity Studies in selected institutions.
According to Echono, TETFund has introduced a new intervention line — the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) — to improve access to global academic resources.
“The new intervention aims to integrate TERAS into NgREN and improve access to international academic resources,” he explained.
Echono announced that 12 additional institutions — including two universities, eight polytechnics, and two colleges of education — will benefit from the commercial farm project.
He also revealed continued investment in student hostels through Public–Private Partnerships (PPP).
“We will sustain the equipping of R&D offices and continue the development of student hostel projects through PPP arrangements,” he said.
The TETFund boss commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its role in collecting education tax.
“The diligent efforts of FIRS will enable us to continue delivering on our mandate and achieve our goals,” Echono noted.
He urged heads of beneficiary institutions to ensure full utilisation of their allocations.
“As we prepare to commence this year’s intervention cycle, I urge all heads of institutions to ensure full utilisation of their allocations,” he concluded.
