The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sunday Echono, announced plans to disburse N18 billion to six public universities under the Special High Impact Intervention. During a press briefing on Thursday, he explained that N3 billion will be allocated to the six selected universities, while N1 billion each will go to six polytechnics and six colleges of education across the country. Over 95 percent of the 2023 Intervention Budget—N320 billion in total—will be directed straight to beneficiary tertiary institutions. The remaining five percent will cover staff salaries and allowances, project monitoring, and zonal capital projects.
The Special Intervention funds are intended to directly support selected institutions in upgrading programmes and improving teaching and learning environments. As stipulated by the enabling Act, allocations are generally made equitably based on the age of the institution and its geopolitical zone, with final decisions made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. This year, the six universities receiving the special impact funds are: Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai (North Central); Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State (North‑East); Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (North‑West); Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (South‑East); Edo State University (South‑South); and Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State (South‑West).
The beneficiary polytechnics each receive N1 billion: Federal Polytechnic, Offa; Federal Polytechnic, Gombe; Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; Anambra State Polytechnic; Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny; and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo‑ora. The colleges of education slated for the same amount are: Plateau State College of Education; Federal College of Education, Yola; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Enugu State College of Education; Delta State College of Education; and Tai Solarin College of Education.
Echono also highlighted plans to address the dilapidated condition of student hostels. “Many of you have seen the deplorable accommodation our students live in. For some years now we have commenced these interventions, and we will encourage schools because we believe the hostels are one of the areas where private‑sector funding can be attracted,” he said. Last year, interventions were released in 20 institutions, resulting in completed hostels, and another 20 institutions are slated for similar upgrades this year, underscoring the importance of the special impact project.
The TETFund executive secretary acknowledged the security challenges facing institutions, including attacks on academic centres, kidnappings, and disruptions to academic activities. “We are implementing strategies to enhance security in institutions,” he affirmed. In this regard, N6 billion has been allocated to institutions in security‑prone areas, particularly those with internal security challenges and cases of abductions, to improve safety for students and staff.
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