The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled its 2025 intervention disbursement plan, allocating N2.86 billion to each public university, N1.99 billion to polytechnics, and N2.18 billion to colleges of education.
The announcement was made by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono, during a strategic workshop in Abuja on Thursday, where he outlined the disbursement guidelines for beneficiary institutions.
Breakdown of the 2025 Disbursement
Universities:
– Normal Allocation: N2,560,562,352.66
– Zonal Allocation: N300,000,000.00
– Total: N2,860,562,352.66
Polytechnics:
– Normal Allocation: N1,794,335,731.71
– Zonal Allocation: N200,000,000.00
– Total: N1,994,335,731.71
Colleges of Education:
– Normal Allocation: N1,978,428,260.79
– Zonal Allocation:
N200,000,000.00
– Total:** N2,178,428,260.79
Utilization Guidelines
Echono urged institutions to utilize their 2024 and prior allocations efficiently while expediting the procurement processes required to access the 2025 funds.
Following the Federal Government’s directive, the 2025 disbursement prioritizes:
– Rehabilitation and upgrading of dilapidated infrastructure.
– Advanced planning for projects with physical planning and consultancy units.
– Enhanced funding for research, academic training, and manuscript development.
Disbursement Structure
– 91.08% for direct disbursement:
– 48.90% as annual direct disbursement.
– 42.18% as special direct disbursement.
– 8.72% for designated projects.
– 0.20% for stabilization funds.
Under the special direct disbursement, funding priorities include:
– Expansion of the Special High Impact Programme (SHIP).
– Completion of the National Library in Abuja.
– Establishment of mechanized farms in select universities.
– Provision of student hostels via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Key Focus Areas in 2025
Medical Education:
– Infrastructure expansion to train more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
– Adoption of medical simulation technology.
Energy and Security:
– Deployment of alternative power solutions for select institutions.
– Enhancing campus security and disaster recovery measures.
Research and Innovation:
– Continued funding for the National Research Fund.
– Strengthening Research & Development (R&D) initiatives.
– Expanding industry-academic partnerships through the Triple Helix Initiative.
Laboratories and Agriculture:
– Additional funding for central research laboratories in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
– Establishing three new agricultural labs and demonstration farms.
Technical and Vocational Education (TVET):
– Upgrading engineering workshops and laboratories.
– Increased support for the National Skills Development/TVET program.
New Initiatives
The 2025 intervention package introduces several innovations, including:
– Diaspora Outreach/Exchange Program.
– Staff Support Fund for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
– Provision of electric tricycles for campus transportation.
– Student Startup/Innovation Grants.
– Establishment of 12 new Entrepreneurship for Innovation Hubs.
Additionally, TETFund is enhancing its TERAS platform to digitize and modernize learning institutions, aligning with global standards.
Echono encouraged institutions to reduce dependence on government funding by fostering private-sector partnerships for infrastructure and facility management, particularly for student hostels.
The workshop was attended by key stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other representatives from the education sector.
The 2025 disbursement plan aims to strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system with a focus on infrastructure, research, and innovation.