TETFund Warns Institutions to Use Funds Wisely or Face Sanctions

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has issued a stern warning to its beneficiary institutions, stating that failure to utilize allocated funds judiciously or meet performance standards could lead to their removal from TETFund’s support programs.

This message was delivered by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, during a one-day strategic meeting in Abuja with heads of institutions, bursars, and procurement heads from beneficiary institutions.

Echono clarified that this policy aims to protect the integrity and effectiveness of TETFund’s interventions, not to penalize institutions.

He emphasized the Fund’s commitment to ensuring resources are channeled to institutions that uphold high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability.

The primary goal of the strategic engagement, according to Echono, is to tackle ongoing challenges within the tertiary education sector, enhance project implementation, and ultimately improve the quality of education.

He also revealed that the 2025 intervention budget will focus on consolidating gains, ensuring sustainability, and completing previously abandoned projects.

Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), praised TETFund for organizing the stakeholder meeting.

Represented by Dr. Joshua Atah, Ribadu highlighted the significance of such interactions for assessing the execution and impact of TETFund-supported projects in higher education.

He acknowledged TETFund’s crucial role in advancing infrastructure, research, staff development, and academic quality, suggesting that public education would face significant struggles without its backing.

However, Professor Ribadu also encouraged institutions to be more proactive and ensure that interventions are relevant and implemented efficiently.