The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has reiterated its dedication to ensuring the Nigerian university system is ready for a digital and ‘knowledge-based’ future. This is according to the Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, during the Lagos edition of the 2025 National Town Hall Meeting, which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Masari stated that TETFund is currently working to transform the management of some of the nation’s best institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges, by deploying technology in a bid to enhance accountability and support learning technologies. At the core of this strategy is TERAS, an education resource and administration system introduced by TETFund.
“These investments enhance transparency, increase efficiency, and increase digital literacy within institutions, which is essential for preparing ‘students for the knowledge economy,’ ” he said.
The chairman emphasized that the scope of work of TETFund is much broader than infrastructure, with a view to ensuring a holistic improvement in research capabilities and institutional strength.
Masari mentioned improvement in academic staff capacity and utilization, with thousands of lecturers trained in Master’s and PhD Programs organized by TETFUND both within and outside Nigeria.
TETFUND has contributed to conferences, manuscripts writing, teaching practice, and professional conversion in the sector.
Concerning research and innovation, some of the flagship projects mentioned by Masari include the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR), which has produced over 200 prototypes currently being commercialized. Others include the Research for Impact project commonly known as R4i, which has trained over 1,000 researchers to develop ideas into products ready for the market.
However, he highlighted some initiatives introduced including the establishment of Multidisciplinary Research Laboratories, Centres of Excellence, and the Nigerian Education Data Initiative, commonly referred to as NEDI.
Masari went on to announce the extension of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Hubs with facilities for robotics, 3D printing, renewable energy labs, biotechnology centers, and creative industry workshops. This covered 18 institutions in 2024, with 15 added for 2025.
To enhance medical education, TETFund has upgraded 18 Colleges of Medicine and is currently developing eight medical simulation centers across the country.
He also stated that N70 billion has been budgeted in the 2025 budget for the provision of sustainable mini-grid energy solutions on some of the campuses.
Masari stressed accountability, stating that 91 per cent of TETFUND’s revenue is directly channeled into programmes, and only those public institutions with legal regulatory recognition can access financial aid.
He emphasized the need for a joint approach in ensuring the sustainability of projects being carried out by TETFUND.
As stated by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, “Knowledge and skills have actually overtaken natural resources in the determinants of a nation’s competitiveness, and education is one area we need to invest heavily in.”
During a paper presentation, Jean Monnet Professor Anthony Kila urged a transformation of TETFund itself from an infrastructure-driven agency to a drive engine for innovation and national development. Citing the challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, low research outputs, and a mismatch between learning and the needs of the nation, he emphasized the need for a rebuilt future-responsive tertiary education landscape. Kila argued that Nigeria needs a better education system capable of cultivating innovators, problem solvers, globally competitive professionals, and critical citizens.
