THE Federal Government has approved the release of more than ₦6 billion in intervention funds for 271 tertiary institutions across Nigeria in 2026.
The allocation, approved through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will benefit universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
Speaking at the annual disbursement meeting in Abuja yesterday, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sunny Echono, disclosed that each university will receive ₦2.53 billion, while polytechnics and colleges of education will get ₦1.87 billion and ₦2.06 billion respectively.
Echono explained that 90.75 per cent of the funds will be released as direct disbursement, comprising 50 per cent annual allocation and 40.75 per cent special intervention.
Designated projects will account for 9.07 per cent, while stabilisation funds will make up 0.18 per cent.
He raised concerns over delays by some beneficiary institutions in processing projects and securing approvals, urging management teams to begin procurement planning early.
The TETFund boss also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow adoption of the TERAS digital platform by some institutions, noting that closer monitoring would be applied in 2026.
According to him, the Fund will continue investing in security infrastructure, the completion of abandoned projects, and improved disaster recovery systems.
Research and innovation remain a major focus, with sustained support for the National Research Fund, institutional research partnerships, the Research-Meets-Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outputs.
Echono revealed that laboratory development and agricultural projects will receive significant attention in 2026, including the expansion of multipurpose laboratories, establishment of new agricultural labs and demonstration farms, and the creation of additional ICT Experience Centres.
He also announced the introduction of a new intervention line—the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN)—aimed at improving access to global academic resources and integrating TERAS into the platform from 2026.
Further interventions include the establishment of Centres for Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity Studies in selected institutions, expansion of the commercial farm project to 12 additional schools, continued upgrades of research and development offices, and the development of student hostels through public-private partnerships.
Echono commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its role in education tax collection and expressed optimism that the new tax regime would further strengthen TETFund’s capacity to deliver impactful interventions.
As preparations begin for the 2026 intervention cycle, he urged heads of beneficiary institutions to fully utilise their 2025 allocations to ensure maximum impact across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.