At a time when the landscape of Nigerian higher education faces unprecedented economic challenges, TETFund has announced a recalibration of its funding priorities, steering resources away from foreign academic training toward critical infrastructure projects on local campuses.
This announcement was made by Aminu Masari, the organization’s chairman, as he presided over the inauguration of five cutting-edge facilities at Akwa Ibom State University. According to Masari, the suspension resulted from the triple pressures of currency devaluation, soaring costs of international training, and scholar retention issues.
“These new projects have a combined cost exceeding N7.3 billion, representing a direct and necessary response to the realities facing our scholarship programmes abroad,” Masari said. He added that over N14.4 billion has been disbursed to Akwa Ibom State University since the inception of TETFund intervention in 2010, with only N2.67 billion still to be deployed as various ongoing projects are completed.
Senator Udoma Udoma, the institution’s former Pro-Chancellor, lauded the significant projects executed by TETFund during his leadership and highlighted the importance of a robust maintenance culture. He addressed both staff and students: “These are your resources for learning and growth; take responsibility for their preservation and continual use.”
Vice Chancellor Prof. Nse Essien outlined the scale and impact of the projects, including numerous offices, laboratories, and other critical facilities, while calling for the furnishing of some newly built faculties and further intervention in digital and research infrastructure.
This paradigm shift signals a new era of homegrown academic development, with domestic investments set to nurture future leaders and innovators in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.