The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a ₦6.452 billion intervention for tertiary institutions under its 2026 funding cycle.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ workshop with heads of beneficiary institutions on the 2026 disbursement guidelines.
Echono explained that under the 2026 intervention framework, each university would receive ₦2.525 billion, while polytechnics would get ₦1.871 billion each and colleges of education ₦2.056 billion respectively.
Allocation letters for the intervention were also distributed to beneficiary institutions at the event.
According to him, the total direct disbursement accounts for about 90.75 per cent of the approved funds, made up of 50 per cent annual direct disbursements and 43.75 per cent special direct disbursements.
He said that under the annual direct disbursement component, 271 beneficiary institutions would receive allocations, with all universities, regardless of age, size, or enrolment, receiving ₦2,525,932,228.02 each.
Polytechnics will receive ₦1,871,059,920.53 each, while colleges of education will get ₦2,056,527,973.04 each.
Echono noted that the funds are intended to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive overall transformation across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
He added that the 2026 intervention would also focus on improving the quality and impact of research in beneficiary institutions.
“This new intervention line aims to improve access to global academic resources and to integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN with effect from the 2026 intervention,” Echono said.
“With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact.”
The Executive Secretary said the Fund would continue to equip and upgrade research and development offices, laboratories, and workshops across institutions.
He said student exposure programmes would be strengthened through private-sector partnerships and direct construction initiatives, while interventions in security infrastructure and training would be sustained.
Long-abandoned projects would also be completed, alongside improvements in design and technical collaboration.
Echono further stated that research and innovation remain key priorities, with continued support for the National Research Fund, the Research Meets Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outputs. ICT development, he added, remains a major focus.
He disclosed that multiple research laboratories are currently under development, with four expected to be completed and commissioned this year, while two additional laboratories have commenced construction and are scheduled for completion next year.
“In agriculture, we are transitioning large university farms to modern greenhouses and equipment to improve productivity and reduce labour intensity,” he said.
“Our ICT roadmap will be strengthened through expanded digital services, experience centres, substation-based internet access, and advanced international education research and application services.”
Echono urged heads of beneficiary institutions to ensure full utilisation of their 2025 allocations, stressing that future funding would be determined by performance, enrolment, and demonstrated progress.
“Institutions with unutilised funds will not receive additional allocations until existing resources are fully deployed,” he said.
He added that the Fund is promoting knowledge sharing, supporting skills-enhancement initiatives, and ensuring prompt payments to contractors.
“Applications for fund releases will be processed expeditiously, and contractors will be paid within two weeks of milestone completion to avoid delays,” Echono said.