Abuja: The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to disburse N6.452 billion to tertiary institutions as part of its 2026 intervention cycle. This information was revealed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, during a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja, where disbursement guidelines were discussed with heads of beneficiary institutions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Echono stated that the planned 2026 intervention cycle would see each university receiving N2.525 billion, while polytechnics would get N1.871 billion, and each college of education would be allocated N2.056 billion. Allocation letters for the intervention were also distributed to the beneficiary institutions during the workshop.
Echono highlighted that the total direct disbursement accounts for approximately 90.75 per cent of the funds, which includes 50 per cent annual direct disbursements and 43.75 per cent special direct disbursements. The annual direct disbursement component will benefit 271 institutions, ensuring equitable distribution to all universities, irrespective of their age, size, or enrolment.
The funds are aimed at strengthening critical physical infrastructure, enhancing academic programmes, boosting research and innovation, and driving overall transformation within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. Echono emphasized that the intervention is designed to improve the quality and impact of research in the beneficiary institutions.
The new intervention line seeks to improve access to global academic resources and integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN starting from the 2026 intervention. Echono expressed optimism that 2026 would be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact.
Additionally, TETFund plans to continue equipping and upgrading research and development offices, laboratories, and workshops. Student exposure programmes are set to be strengthened through private-sector partnerships and direct construction initiatives. The Fund is also focusing on security infrastructure, research and innovation, and ICT development.
Echono further explained that multiple research laboratories are under development, with some expected to be completed and commissioned this year. Efforts in agriculture will see large university farms transition to modern greenhouses and equipment to improve productivity and reduce labour intensity.
Heads of institutions were urged to fully utilise their 2025 allocations, as future funds would be allocated based on performance, enrolment, and demonstrated progress. Institutions with unutilised funds will not receive additional allocations until existing resources are fully deployed. Echono assured prompt processing of fund release applications and timely contractor payments to avoid delays.