On Wednesday, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) warned recipient institutions that do not appropriately use monies allotted for intervention programs that they could face delisting.
During a two-day strategic training for directors of academic planning, physical planning, and information and communication technology (ICT) from institutions receiving funding from the TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Fund, issued the warning in Abuja.
According to Echono, the workshop 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 emphasized that the TET Fund would not passively watch as some institutions fail to meet standards.
The TET Fund may delist institutions that do not access, use, or retire funds in compliance with Fund criteria or that do not meet important academic or operational goals.
“This policy is not punitive but rather a mechanism to safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of our interventions,” he said.
According to Echono, the main goal of the meeting was to increase the capability of key staff members in charge of organizing, carrying out, and overseeing projects funded by the TET Fund.
In order to increase efficiency, accountability, and developmental impact, we want to make sure that each institution represented here is prepared to better align with the Fund’s operational procedures.
“This engagement is a strategic convergence intended to overcome recurrent implementation difficulties, increase compliance, and boost institutional performance. It goes beyond a simple meeting.
“We must all work together to make sure that the benefits of TETFund interventions are not only maintained but also increased through prudent and timely use of resources,” he continued.
Additionally, Echono outlined the strategic priorities that will influence the Fund’s course in 2025 and beyond.
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He stated that the TETFund has previously terminated the international training component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) with effect from January 1, 2025.
As you are well aware, the Fund has halted the international training component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) with effect from January 1, 2025, with reference to the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention.
Despite being challenging, this choice was made because of the growing expenses of training abroad and the prevalence of student absconding. We are nevertheless steadfast in our resolve to increase academic capability locally, though. Echono stated, “We will keep supporting professional development initiatives and demanding local postgraduate programs that provide value at sustainable costs.”
Additionally, he noted an increase in support for a number of initiatives and reiterated the Fund’s emphasis on research and innovation.
Second, innovation and research continue to be essential components of our mission. We have increased funding to the Triple Helix Model for research-industry partnership, the National Research Fund (NRF), and the Research and Innovation Fund for 2025.
According to Echono, “these initiatives are expected to foster commercialization and cross-institutional partnerships while generating practical solutions to national problems, particularly in technology, agriculture, and healthcare.”
Among other things, the workshop featured presentations of papers and Q&A sessions. It was also held throughout the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
