Commendations trail FG’s expansion of TERAS to private institutions

Commendations trail FG’s expansion of TERAS to private institutions

The Tertiary Education Research and Application Service (TERAS), an initiative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has continued to attract commendations from key stakeholders across Nigeria’s education landscape. The programme, since it was introduced, has had a growing impact on research development and knowledge application within tertiary institutions, especially with the steady transformation of research funds’ management.

By providing a centralised digital platform that enhances transparency, efficiency and accountability in the deployment of research grants, researchers are able to access funding opportunities, track project implementation and align academic research with national development priorities, thereby strengthening the relevance of scholarly work to real-world challenges.

At the 20th Annual Retreat and 78th Business Meeting of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), education experts examined the role of TERAS ecosystem in advancing teaching, research, documentation and administrative excellence in the country’s universities.

They eulogised TETFund under the current Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, for fostering stronger collaboration among researchers, institutions and policymakers through the instrumentality of TERAS.

In a communique issued at the end of the retreat, they noted that by encouraging data-driven decision-making and easing the integration of research outputs into policy and industry use, the platform has helped tremendously in bridging the long-standing gap between academic inquiry and practical application in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

“Nigerian universities shall adopt the TERAS ecosystem to drive digital transformation in teaching, research, administration and documentation because it offers a transformative, nationwide platform for elevating teaching quality, research productivity and institutional documentation.

“Registrars remained pivotal to ensuring governance stability, digital transformation and institutional resilience,” the communique read.

Beyond its immediate operational benefits, TERAS is helping to redefine institutional culture within Nigeria’s tertiary education system by promoting accountability, data integrity and performance-based outcomes. University administrators and registrars noted that the platform simplifies documentation processes, strengthens institutional memory and supports evidence-based planning, all of which are critical for effective governance and long-term sustainability. As more institutions integrate TERAS into their core operations, it is expected to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve overall service delivery across the sector.

They also lauded Echono for providing the strategic leadership and institutional backing that has driven the successful rollout of TERAS. According to them, his commitment to digital transformation and prudent management of public funds has ensured that research support mechanisms are not only accessible but also transparent and results-oriented.

Meanwhile, in a landmark development, the Federal Government has extended the scope of the platform to include private tertiary institutions, marking a significant shift towards a more inclusive higher education framework. The expansion, which covers more than 350 private tertiary institutions, is broadly regarded as a deliberate move to tap into the country’s vast academic and research potential across both public and private ownership divides.

By bringing private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education into the fold, the government aims to promote broader collaboration, raise research standards and ensure that innovative ideas from all segments of the tertiary education sector contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said it was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen and safeguard Nigeria’s education ecosystem through strategic public-private collaboration. He added that sustainable progress in education requires collective responsibility and inclusive partnerships between government and private sector stakeholders.

Alausa explained that the expansion of TERAS, implemented in collaboration with the TETFund, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital education reform agenda. While TERAS has traditionally served public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, eligible private institutions are now invited to formally partner with TETFund and benefit from the same premium digital services delivered at national scale.

The inclusion of private tertiary institutions, he explained, reflects the Federal Government’s broader vision of a unified, inclusive and resilient higher education ecosystem aligned with global best practices.

The minister therefore called on interested private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to formally express their interest and engage with TETFund through the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, noting that collaborative inclusivity remains key to achieving sustainable educational advancement.

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The minister reaffirmed that the initiative aligns with the education agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises access to quality and inclusive education while positioning Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to attain global relevance in learning, research, and innovation in support of national development.

Stakeholders admitted that the continued rollout and expansion of TERAS represents a critical step towards repositioning Nigeria’s tertiary education system for the demands of a digital, knowledge-driven economy.

As adoption widens across both public and private institutions, education experts believe TERAS will play a central role in fostering a more connected, resilient and globally relevant higher education ecosystem. With sustained government support and active stakeholders’ participation, the initiative is expected to deepen collaboration, unlock new research opportunities and contribute significantly to the country’s long-term socio-economic development.