The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved about N2.53 billion for each public university under its 2026 intervention programme.
The fund will also provide approximately N1.87 billion to each polytechnic and N2.06 billion to each College of Education as part of efforts to strengthen tertiary education across Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the figures on Thursday at the 2026 TETFund North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Idris said the funding demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving tertiary institutions and developing the human capital required to support Nigeria’s economic growth.
TETFund funding targets infrastructure, research
According to the minister, the 2026 intervention will help beneficiary institutions address critical infrastructure and academic requirements.
He said the funds would support the construction and rehabilitation of lecture halls and other essential facilities, while laboratories would also be equipped to improve practical education, scientific research and technological advancement.
Libraries are another key area of investment, Idris said, stressing that students and researchers need access to up-to-date educational materials.
He added that research and innovation would receive increased attention because of their potential to provide solutions to Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
Idris pointed to the commissioning of the School of Science Complex at the Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga, as an example of projects aimed at improving teaching and learning.
Minister urges institutions to align programmes with regional needs
The minister challenged tertiary institutions in the North Central region to design academic programmes around the economic opportunities and development needs of the zone.
He encouraged universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to focus research and training on areas such as agriculture, mining, energy and industrial development.
Idris also urged institutions to establish stronger relationships with private-sector organisations in order to encourage innovation, attract investment and create more employment opportunities for graduates.
He said closer cooperation between educational institutions and industry would help reduce the gap between classroom learning and the skills demanded by employers.
AI and digital skills take centre stage
The minister called for greater emphasis on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, automation and digital skills.
He said Nigerian graduates needed relevant and adaptable skills to remain competitive in a rapidly changing labour market.
Idris noted that transforming tertiary education should involve more than constructing buildings, arguing that institutions must also embrace technology-driven teaching, research and innovation.
He described education as an important investment in national security and social stability.
According to him, young Nigerians who have access to quality education, employable skills and meaningful opportunities would be better positioned to contribute positively to society and less susceptible to criminality and extremist activities.
Idris demands accountability in TETFund projects
The minister also called on TETFund to maintain strong transparency, monitoring and accountability mechanisms in the management of intervention funds.
He said the North Central town hall meeting should result in practical priorities, defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes rather than merely serving as a forum for discussions.
Ododo seeks more research investment
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo called for increased investment in research and innovation to help address Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
Ododo identified agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and security as sectors where tertiary institutions could make substantial contributions.
He urged universities and other higher institutions to become solution-driven centres capable of developing ideas and technologies to address pressing societal problems.
The governor said stronger research capacity could contribute to food security, industrialisation, job creation and sustainable development.
He commended TETFund for supporting infrastructure, research, academic staff development and institutional capacity building.
Ododo also assured that the Kogi State Government would continue to provide the necessary environment for TETFund-funded projects to achieve their objectives.
TETFund expands support beyond infrastructure
Dr Abdulrahman Ocholi, the TETFund Board of Trustees member representing the North Central Zone, also advocated sustained investment in tertiary education.
Ocholi said continued funding was necessary to strengthen human capital development, research, innovation and skills acquisition.
He explained that TETFund interventions under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had expanded beyond traditional infrastructure projects.
According to him, the programme now covers areas including academic staff development, research, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation and postgraduate scholarships.
He said TETFund had also supported robotics and coding centres, 3D printing facilities, renewable energy initiatives, biotechnology and artificial intelligence laboratories.
Other projects, he added, include mini-grid electricity systems, medical simulation centres and innovation hubs aimed at improving practical learning, research and technical skills.
North Central states benefit from TETFund interventions
Ocholi said the North Central Zone — comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory — had continued to receive TETFund interventions.
He listed infrastructure development, information and communication technology, library development, research, entrepreneurship and academic staff training among the areas supported by the Fund.
However, he urged beneficiary institutions not to focus exclusively on physical infrastructure.
Instead, he called for greater adoption of emerging technologies, stronger research and innovation capacity, improved graduate employability and the development of skills relevant to agriculture, industry, science and technology.
Ocholi said the town hall meeting provided an avenue for TETFund and stakeholders to identify priority needs and strengthen accountability in the development of tertiary education across the North Central region.
