TETFund Unveils Ambitious Reforms at Landmark National Town Hall Meeting in Abuja
TETFund Unveils Ambitious Reforms at Landmark National Town Hall Meeting in Abuja
By Hannatu Lot
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) convened a historic National Town Hall Meeting today in Abuja, marking a significant step towards a more transparent and responsive tertiary education system.
The meeting, held at A-Class Park along Kashim Ibrahim Way, Maitama, brought together stakeholders from across the country to discuss the Fund’s ambitious reform agenda, spearheaded by the current Board of Trustees under the chairmanship of Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR.
Masari, former Executive Governor of Katsina State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, welcomed attendees and emphasized the meeting’s significance as a platform for open dialogue and shared responsibility in shaping the future of Nigerian tertiary education.
He lauded the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which serves as the driving force behind the Fund’s reforms.
Masari also extended gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, OON, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, for their unwavering support.
The core of TETFund’s reform agenda, as outlined by Masari, is anchored on three key pillars: transforming tertiary education into a driver of innovation and productivity; strengthening accountability, transparency, and impact measurement; and expanding the frontiers of research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
He stressed the Fund’s commitment to ensuring that its interventions translate into tangible improvements in teaching, learning, and research, ultimately making Nigerian graduates globally competitive.
The Chairman highlighted significant achievements under President Tinubu’s leadership, including:
* **Human Capital Development: Sponsorship of 3,332 Masters and 4,796 PhD candidates for local programs through the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff. The Fund supports teaching practice, conference attendance, and research, ensuring Nigerian tertiary institutions are well-equipped with a highly trained workforce.
* **Infrastructure Development: Ongoing construction and equipping of modern lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries, and ICT resource centres across the nation. The use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has been implemented in the construction of student hostels.
* **Research and Innovation: Establishment of Multi-Purpose Zonal Research Laboratories and Centres of Excellence in 48 tertiary institutions, focusing on key strategic areas like biotechnology, renewable energy, food security, governance, and health sciences. Examples include the Centre for Arid Zone Research & Development at the University of Maiduguri and the Centre for Dairy Research and Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
* **Healthcare Delivery Enhancement: The Special High Impact Intervention to 18 Medical Colleges across the six (6) geopolitical zones, and the deployment of medical simulation facilities in eight (8) universities, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Lagos, to improve medical training and reduce reliance on foreign institutions.
* **Colleges of Education: The Early Grade Resource Centers Intervention, benefiting six (6) colleges of education across the six geopolitical zones. Beneficiaries in the year 2025 include Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, and Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua.
* **Agriculture and Food Security: Establishment of demonstration farms in universities of agriculture and related institutions to support practical application of knowledge. Commercial farm intervention to ten (10) other institutions to contribute to food security and rural development.
* **Entrepreneurship: Creation of Innovation Hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres in 15 institutions nationwide, serving as incubators for ideas and business start-ups. These include centres at the University of Uyo and the University of Ibadan.
* **Renewable Energy: Approval for the implementation of the Mini-Grid Solar Power Project under the 2025 Intervention Cycle, allocating ₦70 billion to provide renewable energy solutions to twelve (12) selected institutions, including the Nigerian Army University, Biu, and Lagos State University.
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Masari emphasized TETFund’s future vision: a globally competitive, research-oriented, and innovation-driven tertiary education system.
He outlined plans to strengthen accountability, expand investments in alternative energy and digital learning, promote advanced research, and deepen collaboration with industries.
The Chairman concluded by reiterating the importance of collective efforts from academia, industry, and civil society, emphasizing that the Town Hall Meeting symbolizes a shared commitment to transforming Nigerian tertiary education.
He urged active participation in the discussions to shape policies and priorities for future interventions, expressing hope that the meeting would serve as a catalyst for progress and a renewed sense of responsibility in the Nigerian tertiary education system.
