ABUJA — The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a ₦6.452 billion intervention package for Nigeria’s tertiary institutions under its 2026 funding cycle, aimed at strengthening infrastructure, research, innovation, and academic delivery across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, disclosed the figures on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja attended by heads of beneficiary institutions, where allocation letters were distributed and the 2026 disbursement guidelines were shared.
Under the 2026 intervention, each university will receive ₦2.525 billion, polytechnics ₦1.871 billion, and colleges of education ₦2.056 billion.
The allocations account for about 90.75 percent of the total intervention funds, comprising 50 percent annual direct disbursements and 43.75 percent special direct disbursements.
Echono explained that 271 institutions are set to benefit this year. “All universities, irrespective of age, size, or enrolment, will receive ₦2,525,932,228.02 each; polytechnics will get ₦1,871,059,920.53 each; while colleges of education will receive ₦2,056,527,973.04 each,” he said.
The Executive Secretary stressed that the funds are designed to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive the overall transformation of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
“The intervention will also improve the quality and impact of research in beneficiary institutions,” he added.
A new intervention line will focus on improving access to global academic resources through the integration of the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) from the 2026 cycle.
Echono said the Fund would continue to equip and upgrade research and development offices, laboratories, and workshops.
Student exposure programmes will be strengthened through private-sector partnerships and direct construction initiatives.
He also highlighted TETFund’s commitment to security infrastructure, completion of long-abandoned projects, and enhancing design-technical collaborations. Research and innovation remain central priorities, with continued support for the National Research Fund, the Research Meets Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outcomes, alongside sustained ICT development.
Several research laboratories are currently under development, with four expected to be completed and commissioned this year, and two more recently commenced, scheduled for completion next year. In agriculture, university farms are being modernised with modern greenhouses and equipment to boost productivity and reduce labour intensity.
On ICT, the Fund’s roadmap includes expanded digital services, experience centres, substation-based internet access, and advanced international education research and application services.
Echono urged heads of institutions to ensure full utilisation of their 2025 allocations, warning that institutions with unutilised funds would not receive additional allocations until existing resources are fully deployed. “Future allocations will be based on performance, enrolment, and demonstrated progress,” he said.
He assured that applications for fund releases will be processed quickly and contractors paid within two weeks of milestone completion to avoid delays. He further stressed that TETFund will promote knowledge sharing, support skills-enhancing initiatives, and ensure prompt payment to contractors.
“With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact,” Echono concluded, signalling a renewed focus on transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
