The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of over ₦6 billion in intervention funds for 271 tertiary institutions across the country in the 2026 intervention cycle.
The funds, approved through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will be allocated to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide to support infrastructure development, research, innovation, and capacity building.
Speaking at the annual disbursement meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sunny Echono, disclosed that each beneficiary institution would receive substantial allocations under the approved framework.
According to him, each university will receive ₦2,525,932,228.02, polytechnics will get ₦1,871,059,920.53 each, while colleges of education will receive ₦2,056,527,973.04 per institution.
Echono explained that the disbursement cycle comprises 90.75 per cent direct disbursement, made up of 50 per cent annual direct disbursement and 40.75 per cent special direct disbursement, while designated projects account for 9.07 per cent and stabilisation funds 0.18 per cent.
However, the TETFund boss expressed concern over persistent delays by some beneficiary institutions in processing projects for approval and completing due procurement procedures.
He advised heads of institutions to commence procurement planning early to avoid implementation setbacks.
“Also worrisome is the slow and reluctant utilisation of the TERAS platform and its associated services by some beneficiary institutions. The Fund will pay closer attention to this in 2026,” Echono warned.
He further stressed the need for improved documentation and better understanding of TETFund guidelines, particularly in training and content intervention programmes, to reduce challenges faced by beneficiaries.
Echono noted that TETFund will continue its interventions in security infrastructure and training, completion of long-abandoned projects, and strengthening of disaster recovery measures.
He added that research and innovation would remain a top priority, with sustained support for the National Research Fund, institutional research and development partnerships, the Research-Meets-Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outputs.
The Executive Secretary revealed that laboratory and agricultural development would receive significant attention in 2026.
“We are enhancing ongoing multipurpose laboratory projects, establishing two new ones, and creating new agricultural laboratories and demonstration farms,” he said.
He also announced further expansion of TETFund’s ICT roadmap, including improved digital services, ICT Experience Centres, subscription-based internet access, and continued advancement of the Tertiary Education Research Application Services (TERAS) platform.
Echono expressed optimism that the 2026 intervention cycle would deliver measurable impact across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
“With these strategic interventions, 2026 promises to be a year of strengthened capacity, innovation, and measurable impact across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” he said.
He commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its role in the collection of the Education Tax in 2025, noting that effective collaboration under the new tax regime would ensure the continued success of TETFund’s mandate.
As preparations for the 2026 intervention cycle begin, Echono urged all beneficiary institutions to ensure full utilisation of their 2025 allocations, assuring them of continued engagement to further refine and strengthen TETFund’s interventions.
