Nigeria's tertiary education sector is set for a year of transformation as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) kicks off its 2026 intervention cycle.
The strategic workshop held at TETFund's Abuja auditorium on 13 January brought together heads of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to review disbursement guidelines and map out the year's roadmap for development.
The gathering shows a renewed commitment to strengthening infrastructure, research, and innovation across the country's tertiary institutions.
Building on the achievements of the 2025 cycle, TETFund has prioritised capacity building, policy alignment, and enhanced stakeholder engagement in the 2026 cycle.
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Arch Sonny S.T. Echono, the Fund's Executive Secretary, while speaking at engagement emphasised that the workshop is as much about collaboration and shared experiences as it is about the disbursement of funds.
With over 90 per cent of allocations directed straight to institutions, the Fund aims to boost academic excellence, strengthen research capacity, and equip Nigeria's tertiary institutions to compete globally.
This year marks a decisive step in transforming the nation's universities, polytechnics, and colleges into centres of innovation and excellence.
Echono, who set the tone for the workshop, emphasised the dual objectives of reviewing the 2025 intervention cycle and outlining the roadmap for 2026.
"The primary focus of this engagement is the 2026 Disbursement Guidelines. Equally important is the opportunity for meaningful discussions and feedback on the implementation of the previous cycle, to enhance the impact of our interventions and strengthen partnerships between the Fund and our institutions."
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his timely approval of the 2026 disbursement guidelines and unwavering support for the nation's tertiary education sector, aligning with the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Executive Secretary also acknowledged the prompt coordination by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, and the dedication of TETFund's Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Hon Bello Masari, in preparing the guidelines for the year.
Reflecting on the 2025 intervention cycle, Arch Echono said several achievements, including strengthened stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, timely implementation of programmes, and sustained capacity-building across beneficiary institutions.
These efforts, he said were supported by various strategic engagements, including one-day and two-day workshops with heads of institutions, bursars, procurement officers, and directors of physical and academic planning.
A special focus was placed on campus security through a dedicated workshop, addressing the increasingly complex security challenges confronting Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Among the targeted interventions that characterised the 2025 cycle were the Special High-Impact Rehabilitation of Medical Schools across the six geopolitical zones, the Public-Private Partnership Hostel Development Initiative, establishment of Medical Simulation and Technology Centres, Staff Support Fund, electric tricycles for campus transportation, and Students' Start-up and Innovation Grants.
Many of these initiatives, the executive secretary said will continue under the 2026 guidelines, while urging institutions to implement programmes promptly, as additional initiatives will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Echono further emphasised the administration's commitment to education as a driver of national development.
"Since the commencement of this administration, President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the central role of education in national progress.
"Through bold economic reforms, strategic policies, and sustained support for educational institutions, a solid foundation has been laid for the transformation and revitalisation of Nigeria's tertiary education sector."
The 2026 cycle, according to Echono, also reflects efforts to address enduring sectoral challenges. He noted delays in project approvals and procurement processes in 2025 and urged beneficiary institutions to plan ahead to prevent similar bottlenecks.
He further stressed the importance of utilising the Tertiary Education Research Application and Services (TERAS) platform, which remains underused by some institutions, and encouraged adherence to guidelines for training and content interventions to enhance research outputs.
Highlights of the 2026 Disbursement
The 2026 intervention cycle features a total direct disbursement of 90.75 per cent, comprising an annual direct disbursement of 50 per cent and a special direct disbursement of 40.75 per cent. Designated projects will receive 9.07 per cent, while a Stabilisation Fund accounts for 0.18 per cent.
Under the annual direct disbursement, 271 institutions are set to receive allocations as follows: universities will receive N2,525,932,228.02 each, polytechnics N1,871,059,920.53 each, and colleges of education N2,056,527,973.04 each.
These funds aim to strengthen critical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive overall transformation in the tertiary sector.
A notable addition to the 2026 cycle is the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which seeks to improve access to global academic resources and integrate the TERAS platform.
Special intervention projects will expand to include Centres for Robotics, Coding and AI Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity Studies in selected institutions. Twelve additional institutions will benefit from commercial farm projects, including two universities, eight polytechnics, and two colleges of education.
According to him, TETFund will continue to upgrade research and development offices, develop student hostels through public-private partnerships, address security infrastructure and training, complete long-stalled projects, and enhance disaster recovery measures.
Laboratory and agricultural development will be prioritised through multipurpose laboratories, new agricultural laboratories, and demonstration farms. ICT services will also expand, with subscription-based internet access, ICT Experience Centres, and continued advancement of the TERAS platform.
The Chairman of TETFund's Board of Trustees, Rt Hon Bello Masari, emphasised the critical role of public participation in sustaining educational development.
Masari stated that there is need for transparency and local engagement, recalling that past interventions, such as the National Students Loan Scheme, depended on public awareness and support.
He stressed that while TETFund provides financial and structural support, the responsibility for institutional management ultimately rests with federal and state governments.
Masari also urged heads of institutions to streamline their interactions with government partners to accelerate fund utilisation. He noted that delays in implementation could compromise future allocations and emphasised the importance of mission-driven institutions insulated from partisan politics.
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"Whatever happens politically, the direction of these institutions must always remain focused on the interest of all Nigerians," he said.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, on his part, praised TETFund's consistent support for teaching, research, and learning across Nigeria's universities.
He said the National Research Fund (NRF) is a crucial instrument for advancing research, noting that university-based research funding remains limited.
Ribadu called on institutions to adhere to TETFund guidelines and ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with national development priorities, including digital transformation and 21st-century skills development.
He welcomed the new intervention lines in 2026, noting that the year had been dedicated to technology, and stressed the need for measurable outcomes to assess impact.
Also speaking, the executive secretary,
National Commission for Colleges, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle commended TETFund's foresight and consistency in advancing tertiary education.
He said the focus on digital infrastructure, ICT-driven learning, entrepreneurship development, medical and health programmes, architectural education, and inclusive education.
Okwelle emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability, and prudent fund utilisation to maximise impact, expressing confidence that the 2026 interventions would continue to strengthen teacher education and, by extension, the foundation of sustainable national development.
