TETFund Redirects Foreign Programme Funds to Nigerian University Projects
In a bold and strategic shift, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced that funds originally earmarked for foreign academic training programmes will now be used for developing local university infrastructure in Nigeria. This redirection follows rising concerns over the country’s volatile foreign exchange market and the increasing trend of scholars failing to return after studying abroad.
The Chairman of TETFund and former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, made this disclosure during the commissioning of five major infrastructure projects at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) on Tuesday. These projects, spanning both the Ikot Akpaden and Obio Akpa campuses, were funded under various intervention schemes by TETFund and have a combined value of over ₦7.3 billion. The developments represent a renewed commitment to improving local research and academic capacity across Nigerian universities.
Redirecting Resources for Greater Local Impact
While addressing stakeholders during the commissioning, Masari explained the rationale behind TETFund’s decision to halt overseas programmes. “The projects we are commissioning today have a total investment value of ₦7,306,029,318.52,” he said. “Due to unstable exchange rates, the soaring cost of sponsoring scholars abroad, and the unfortunate pattern of scholars absconding during their training, TETFund has decided to temporarily suspend foreign training programmes.”
According to Masari, those redirected funds are now being invested in special local interventions that can produce lasting impact and greater accountability. “With proper and consistent utilisation of these funds, I firmly believe Akwa Ibom State University will continue to thrive as a centre of excellence, not only within Nigeria but also in the global academic space,” he stated.
TETFund’s Cumulative Investment in AKSU Reaches ₦14.4 Billion
Masari went on to reveal that since AKSU’s inception in 2010, the university has received a total of ₦14,476,013,835.31 in various intervention allocations from TETFund. This funding has come through several categories such as the Annual Intervention, Special Intervention, Zonal Intervention, and High-Impact Intervention.
“Out of this sum,” he said, “a large portion has already been accessed and utilised by the university. Only about ₦2.67 billion remains unaccessed, pending the completion of ongoing projects. This is no small feat and should be commended.”
Masari further commended AKSU’s management for its efficient, transparent, and responsible use of public funds. He noted that the institution’s approach should serve as a model of best practice for other Nigerian universities to emulate.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Take Centre Stage
At the event, AKSU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Nse Essien, elaborated on the scope of the newly commissioned projects. The completed structures include purpose-built facilities for five academic faculties: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Management Sciences, and Agriculture.
“These facilities comprise 189 offices, 51 classrooms, 40 fully equipped laboratories, and 237 restrooms,” Prof. Essien stated. He emphasized that the new buildings would significantly improve the university’s capacity to conduct high-level research and deliver quality education.
He explained that the infrastructure was designed to support scientific discovery, technological innovation, and knowledge transfer, especially in critical fields that can address both regional challenges and global needs. According to him, the new labs and classrooms will contribute immensely to the training of researchers, scientists, engineers, and public health professionals.
Plea for Additional Support to Maximise Impact
Despite the major developments, Prof. Essien pointed out that some of the newly built structures, particularly those belonging to the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Faculty of Agriculture, remain unfurnished. He appealed for additional funding and assistance to make the buildings fully operational.
“We are grateful for the structural development, but we still require support in furnishing these facilities,” he said. “Without essential furniture and laboratory equipment, we cannot fully utilise them for academic work.”
He also called on TETFund and development partners to support the university in other critical areas, including:
- Digital library infrastructure
- Postgraduate research development
- International Journal and Conference hosting
- Modern hostel accommodation for students across both campuses
Maintenance, Culture, and Shared Responsibility
Also speaking at the event was Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, former Pro-Chancellor of AKSU. He played a significant role in attracting and supervising the implementation of the TETFund projects during his tenure. Udoma used the platform to highlight the importance of maintenance culture and responsibility in preserving these investments.
“I urge both staff and students to take ownership of these facilities,” Udoma said. “These are not just government buildings; they are community assets. Protect them from vandalism, neglect, and misuse.”
He encouraged the university administration to put systems in place for regular upkeep, stating that the longevity and usefulness of the infrastructure depend on how well it is maintained. “These structures are meant to serve not just the current students but generations to come,” he added. “We must protect them accordingly.”
Economic Realities Shaping TETFund’s Strategy
Masari’s announcement marks a significant shift in TETFund’s policy direction. For years, the Fund had invested in sending Nigerian scholars abroad for advanced degrees. However, with the naira’s depreciation and increased capital flight, these efforts have come under intense scrutiny.
Furthermore, the failure of many sponsored scholars to return and fulfil their bond obligations has raised questions about the efficiency and fairness of such programmes.
The decision to suspend foreign training reflects a growing commitment to domestic capacity-building. TETFund now aims to redirect investment towards strengthening Nigerian universities, making them globally competitive through improved infrastructure, robust academic programmes, and research opportunities.
AKSU: A Working Model of Accountability and Vision
Akwa Ibom State University has quickly become a success story in public education. Its methodical, transparent use of TETFund resources has drawn praise from education stakeholders and public sector watchdogs alike. The university’s transformation is evidence that public funds, when managed wisely, can lead to meaningful institutional progress.
According to TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, AKSU exemplifies the kind of partnership TETFund envisions with universities. “This is what responsible governance looks like,” he said. “It shows that when institutions align with national goals and remain transparent, they will receive continued support.”
Former Governor Masari shared the same sentiment. “AKSU has become a shining light, and we’re excited about what the future holds. It’s institutions like this that drive us to do more,” he said.
TETFund’s Long-Term Vision for Nigerian Universities
This strategic pivot marks the start of a new era for higher education in Nigeria. TETFund is now laser-focused on investing in long-term infrastructure, such as high-quality lecture halls, science laboratories, digital libraries, and innovation hubs. The aim is to future-proof Nigerian universities so they can not only meet current needs but also compete on a global scale.
Masari made it clear: “We’re not just fixing problems—we’re building platforms for transformation. Our universities must be capable of driving technological and social change.”
The Fund also recognizes that strong leadership within universities is essential. Institutions that demonstrate integrity, vision, and transparency will be prioritized for future interventions. TETFund is determined to create an education system that thrives on results, innovation, and national development.
Stakeholders React: A Necessary and Timely Shift
Across the country, education stakeholders have expressed support for this reorientation. Dr. Adaobi Ekene, a leading education expert, described the move as a strategic leap forward.
“Foreign training has its place,” she said, “but it becomes counterproductive when our own institutions are falling apart. It’s time we redirect our efforts inward and build what we have.”
Dr. Ekene also called for more targeted funding in postgraduate research, emerging tech sectors, and virtual learning. She believes these areas are key to positioning Nigeria in a global knowledge-based economy.
She urged TETFund to maintain a performance-based approach, rewarding institutions like AKSU that showcase transparency and results. “It’s not just about throwing money at problems—it’s about funding what works,” she concluded.
Toward an Independent and Empowered Education System
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund) strategic decision to pivot from sponsoring foreign academic training to investing in local university infrastructure marks a significant and transformative chapter in Nigeria’s educational evolution. This shift signals a broader vision—one rooted in strengthening domestic institutions, fostering national capacity, and prioritising sustainable impact over temporary exposure.
By choosing to focus on homegrown solutions, TETFund is not only responding to economic realities like foreign exchange volatility and brain drain but also actively redefining what it means to build a resilient, self-reliant education system. This decision reflects a clear understanding that no country can truly progress when its brightest minds are continually sent abroad, especially when its own institutions remain underfunded and underutilised.
The visible infrastructure strides at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) stand as a compelling testament to this new direction. These projects—well-executed, transparent, and purpose-driven—show what can be achieved when policy, leadership, and funding work hand in hand. They serve as a rallying cry to other universities across Nigeria: when institutions prove themselves capable and accountable, greater support and transformation will follow.
As Nigeria looks ahead, this inward shift is more than a mere funding realignment. It represents a deliberate national strategy to build strength from within—nurturing institutions that can serve as global academic players without leaving the country’s borders. It is an investment in more than just buildings; it is a stake in Nigeria’s intellectual future, in the students who will become tomorrow’s innovators, educators, and leaders.
By building from within, Nigeria isn’t just strengthening education—it is laying the foundation for national development, global competitiveness, and long-term prosperity.