2025 Allocation: Tinubu Approves Over N700bn for TETFund Beneficiary Institutions

•Varsities get N2.8bn each; polytechnics N1.92; COEs N2.1bn

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved over N700 billion as 2025 allocation to beneficiary institutions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). This was disclosed by Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, during the 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting held with heads of the institutions on Thursday in Abuja.

TETFund also announced its 2025 intervention disbursements with each Nigerian university set to receive over N2.8 billion, while each polytechnic will receive N1,994,335,731.71, and Colleges of Education will get N2,178,428,260.79 each.

Speaking at the 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting, Echono said, “I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has approved the year 2025 disbursement guidelines in the total sum of N700 billion.”

According to him, the 2025 disbursement allocation is structured as follows: total Direct Disbursement of (91.08 per cent), made up of (48.90 per cent) as Annual Direct Disbursement, (42.18 per cent) as Special Direct Disbursement, Designated Projects (8.72 per cent), and Stabilisation funds (0.20 per cent).

He stated, “Our intervention activities have increased significantly, aligning with national priorities outlined in the Education Sector Road Map under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and championed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.”

Echono added, “In line with federal government’s directives, all physical infrastructure development allocations for 2025 shall be directed toward the upgrading, rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated infrastructure in our beneficiary institutions.”

He stated the fund had significantly increased the allocation for research and innovation, academic staff training and development, as well as manuscript and book development.

Echono charged heads of beneficiary institutions on early implementation of their allocations, and advised them to consult widely with their communities in the implementation of TETFund projects and also ensure timely payments to contractors and vendors when due. 

“I urge all heads of beneficiary institutions to ensure the full utilisation of their2024 and previous allocations, while fast tracking the procurement process to access their 2025 allocations,” he said.

Echono fleshed out the disbursement details at a strategic workshop with heads of beneficiary institutions on the 2025 disbursement guidelines in Abuja also on Thursday.

He said, “Under this current disbursement cycle, each university will get N2,560,562,352.66 under normal allocation, with an additional N300,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, making N2,860,562,352.66 for each university.

“Each polytechnic will get N1,794,335,731.71 for normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N1,994,335,731.71. 

“Each College of Education will receive N1,978,428,260.79 for normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N2,178,428,260.79.”

The executive secretary said in line with the federal government’s directives, all physical infrastructure development allocations for 2025 would be directed toward the upgrading, rehabilitation, and renovation of dilapidated infrastructure in beneficiary institutions.

He said, “This was communicated to you earlier to enable you to consult widely and prepare your projects ahead of time. You were also advised to employ the services of your consultancy units and/or physical planning units in the preparation of projects.

“Under the current disbursement cycle, the Fund has significantly increased the allocation for research and innovation, academic staff training and development, as well as manuscript and book development.

“It has also significantly increased the number of beneficiary institutions for its special and designated projects.”

Echono said the 2025 disbursement allocation is structured as follows, “The total direct disbursement of 91.08% is made up of 48.90% as annual direct disbursement and 42.18% as special direct disbursement. Designated projects account for 8.72%, while stabilization funds are 0.20%. In this regard, each category of beneficiary institution has been allocated the annual direct disbursement as follows.

“Under the special direct disbursement category, key initiatives include increased funding and expanded participation in the Special High Impact Programme (SHIP), completion of the National Library building in Abuja, establishment of mechanisedfarms in some universities, and accelerated provision of student hostels through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and direct construction in fulfilment of the president’s promise to Nigerian students and in furtherance of plans for our institutions.

“Other key focus areas in the 2025 disbursement guidelines include expanding infrastructure to enhance student intake for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists in our universities and colleges of medicine, adoption of medical simulation and technology to improve curriculum delivery and patient care, provision of alternative power to selected beneficiary institutions to mitigate current difficulties in coping with energy costs.

“Other priorities include addressing campus security, enabling disaster recovery, and completing previously distressed projects. Research and innovation support will continue with provision for the National Research Fund, institutionalization of R&D, expanding partnerships, Research Meets Industry (Triple Helix initiative), and commercialization of research outcomes.”

According to him, TETFund is also making significant investments in laboratory and agricultural development.

He said, “Additional funding has been allocated for the recently approved central multipurpose research laboratories in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, along with the establishment of two new ones.

“Three new agricultural laboratories/demonstration farms will be set up, with additional support for the existing ones. Under designated projects, we will provide funding for the upgrading of engineering workshops and laboratories in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

“There will also be increased funding for the National Skills Development/TVET program in our polytechnics. Some of the new intervention lines introduced include: Diaspora Outreach/Exchange Program, Staff Support Fund for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, provision of electric tricycles for campus transportation, and Student Startup/Innovation Grants.”

He further said the fund was establishing 12 new Entrepreneurship for Innovation Hubs in polytechnics and colleges of education, stating that its TERAS platform aims to digitise and modernise learning institutions, aligning with global standards.

He said, “We have consistently encouraged beneficiaries to make the best use of the platform as we sustain our collaborations and subscriptions to these learning management systems.

“As part of our commitment to reducing reliance on government funding, institutions are requested to foster partnerships with the private sector for infrastructure development and facility management, starting with student hostels.”

The meeting had in attendance representatives from critical education sectors and unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Bord for Technical Education (NBTE).