Despite Economic Pressures, TETFund Recorded Significant Achievements in Project Development in 2025 – Echono …Expresses Appreciation to President Tinubu for Prompt Funding Approvals

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono has stated that the Fund recorded significant achievements in its various intervention lines in 2025 despite economic pressures arising from exchange rate fluctuations and rising projects costs; even as he expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prompt approval of funding support for the development of tertiary education in the country. The Executive Secretary stated this at the 2025 TETFund Management Retreat held in Yola from 17th to 19th, December 2025 with the theme “Advancing TETFund Mandate for Efficient Service Delivery in Beneficiary Institutions”. He particularly applauded President Tinubu for the quick approval of TETFund’s 2026 Intervention Guideline, saying “As I am speaking, even the 2026 Intervention Guidelines have been approved by Mr President, so we are ready to hit the ground running. That is why we are here to work out a strategy for effective implementation”. While noting that retreats serve as platforms for organizations and corporate entities to carry out self-appraisal as well as setting of new goals, he commended TETFund staff for their dedication and performance in meeting the Fund’s obligation. “During the year, quite a number of impactful projects were delivered by the Fund across institutions. The provision of solar-powered tricycles across institutions to ease transportation remains crucial. Content-based interventions were executed in several institutions by the Fund, the Special High Impact on expansion and doubling of quotas in medical sciences has taken off under the direction of the Hon Minister of Education in selected institutions. “Apart from our vision for research and technological development in the country through some of the initiatives highlighted, two strategic initiatives will significantly reshape our intervention landscape: the establishment of Innovation Hubs across selected beneficiary institutions and the large scale Mini-Grid Power Project. “The expectations placed on TETFund continue to grow. With decreasing Education Tax collections and increased demand in the tertiary sub-sector, we have been entrusted with greater responsibility to deliver transformative results. This retreat is not only about evaluating what has been done but envisioning what more must be done and how we must do it differently, better, faster and more transparently. Every project approved must be purposeful and aligned with national and institutional priorities,” he said. He therefore encouraged management Staff to actively participate, collaborate, and innovate to meet rising expectations and deliver transformative results for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. While in Yola, the Executive Secretary and members of top management of the Fund paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who commended the Fund for its impactful interventions in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria and expressed appreciation to management for its choice of Yola for the retreat. The Executive Secretary also inaugurated some completed TETFund-sponsored projects at Modibbo Adama University, Yola. The projects are the main building of the College of Medical Science, Lecture Theater I and II, College of Medical Science, College of Medical Science Library, the Main Building of Faculty of Law and Renovated University Veterinary Clinic. Speaking during the Commissioning, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Umar commended the Executive Secretary and the entire management of the Fund for their visionary leadership and continued support to the university. He, however, appealed for interventions in the construction of a comprehensive perimeter fence and installation of CCTV cameras, dedicated Senate Building, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and Faculty of Arts. In his remarks, Arc. Echono commended the Vice Chancellor for ensuring the completion and commissioning of the projects and assured of the Fund’s continuous support and partnership in providing a quality and conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono has stated that the Fund recorded significant achievements in its various intervention lines in 2025 despite economic pressures arising from exchange rate fluctuations and rising projects costs; even as he expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prompt approval of funding support for the development of tertiary education in the country. The Executive Secretary stated this at the 2025 TETFund Management Retreat held in Yola from 17th to 19th, December 2025 with the theme “Advancing TETFund Mandate for Efficient Service Delivery in Beneficiary Institutions”. He particularly applauded President Tinubu for the quick approval of TETFund’s 2026 Intervention Guideline, saying “As I am speaking, even the 2026 Intervention Guidelines have been approved by Mr President, so we are ready to hit the ground running. That is why we are here to work out a strategy for effective implementation”. While noting that retreats serve as platforms for organizations and corporate entities to carry out self-appraisal as well as setting of new goals, he commended TETFund staff for their dedication and performance in meeting the Fund’s obligation. “During the year, quite a number of impactful projects were delivered by the Fund across institutions. The provision of solar-powered tricycles across institutions to ease transportation remains crucial. Content-based interventions were executed in several institutions by the Fund, the Special High Impact on expansion and doubling of quotas in medical sciences has taken off under the direction of the Hon Minister of Education in selected institutions. “Apart from our vision for research and technological development in the country through some of the initiatives highlighted, two strategic initiatives will significantly reshape our intervention landscape: the establishment of Innovation Hubs across selected beneficiary institutions and the large scale Mini-Grid Power Project. “The expectations placed on TETFund continue to grow. With decreasing Education Tax collections and increased demand in the tertiary sub-sector, we have been entrusted with greater responsibility to deliver transformative results. This retreat is not only about evaluating what has been done but envisioning what more must be done and how we must do it differently, better, faster and more transparently. Every project approved must be purposeful and aligned with national and institutional priorities,” he said. He therefore encouraged management Staff to actively participate, collaborate, and innovate to meet rising expectations and deliver transformative results for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. While in Yola, the Executive Secretary and members of top management of the Fund paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who commended the Fund for its impactful interventions in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria and expressed appreciation to management for its choice of Yola for the retreat. The Executive Secretary also inaugurated some completed TETFund-sponsored projects at Modibbo Adama University, Yola. The projects are the main building of the College of Medical Science, Lecture Theater I and II, College of Medical Science, College of Medical Science Library, the Main Building of Faculty of Law and Renovated University Veterinary Clinic. Speaking during the Commissioning, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Umar commended the Executive Secretary and the entire management of the Fund for their visionary leadership and continued support to the university. He, however, appealed for interventions in the construction of a comprehensive perimeter fence and installation of CCTV cameras, dedicated Senate Building, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and Faculty of Arts. In his remarks, Arc. Echono commended the Vice Chancellor for ensuring the completion and commissioning of the projects and assured of the Fund’s continuous support and partnership in providing a quality and conducive environment for teaching and learning.