With a strategic vision aimed at enhancing educational quality and accessibility, the Federal Government recently inaugurated the new Governing Board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
This new leadership is set to work with the Fund tackle the pressing issues facing tertiary education in Nigeria with an aim to improve the overall educational landscape.
The newly appointed board finds itself at a pivotal moment for advancing tertiary education nationwide as its commitment will be instrumental in driving the continued growth and success of TETFund’s mission and vision.
Its agenda encompasses a broad range of initiatives designed to promote academic excellence, stimulate research and development, and enhance infrastructure and facilities across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
These efforts, it is gathered are aimed at ensuring that higher education institutions are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of modern education.
One of the primary objectives for the new board is to build upon the substantial progress made by TETFund in recent years. This involves not only leveraging existing resources but also exploring new funding opportunities to support institutions in meeting the evolving demands of modern education.
By aligning with national educational goals and addressing the needs of students and faculty, the board is tasked with the responsibility to foster a more dynamic and responsive higher education system.
Their leadership is also expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of tertiary education. The board’s effectiveness will be closely monitored as they work to implement policies that advance educational standards and support institutional growth, the government said while inaugurating it.
LEADERSHIP reports that President Bola Tinubu had appointed former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari as chairman of the TETFund board.
Other members of the board include Senator Sani Danladi, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, Mr. Nurudeen Adeyemi, Mrs. Esther Ukachukwu, Mr. Turaki Ibrahim, and Mr. Aboh Eduyok. Each member brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, and their collective efforts will be pivotal in achieving the board’s objectives.
The President anticipated that the new board members will be “dedicated and committed to driving TETFund’s objective of supporting tertiary education to enhance productivity and quality.”
During the board’s inauguration in Abuja, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono, congratulated the board members on their appointments and highlighted the importance of their role.
“I have no doubt that the confidence placed in you by the President will be justified through your diligent work. The education sector is critical to our national development. Given Nigeria’s youthful and rapidly growing population, we need to invest in our young people to prepare them for opportunities both domestically and internationally and to address our national challenges.”
Echono expressed his confidence in the board’s ability to meet the challenges ahead and assured them of TETFund’s continued support within the limits of its mandate, saying that the ongoing support from TETFund will be crucial in enabling the board to achieve its goals and make a significant impact on the education sector.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, also addressed the board, emphasising the importance of their role and urging them to use their networks to attract resources and support for institutions.
He highlighted the government’s high expectations for the board in addressing the challenges facing tertiary education. “Your appointment reflects your track record, integrity, and experience.
“These appointments illustrate the diversity of our nation, professions, and expertise. I thank you for accepting this role and urge you to use your knowledge, skills, and experience to elevate tertiary institutions.”
The Minister outlined several challenges facing the education sector, including low capacity in universities and the instability of academic calendars due to strikes.
He encouraged the board to view unions as partners in addressing these issues and noted ongoing discussions with ASUU to avoid strikes.
“We have developed a robust plan to address these issues, and we hope it will help avoid strikes. Councils globally are responsible for attracting resources from various sources to improve institutions. By working together and following due process, the Board and Councils can act effectively.”
Additionally, the Minister advised the board to focus on innovative strategies for bringing resources to universities rather than concentrating on allowances and privileges.
Earlier, ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke emphasised the importance of judiciously using TETFund resources to foster development.
He noted that TETFund is currently the primary source of support for tertiary education in Nigeria and highlighted the urgent need for transformation within the educational system.
“My prayer is that this council will contribute to transforming our educational system. When we were at the university, we had people from other countries in the same hostel and classrooms, with lecturers from around the world. Today, the situation is so dire that 90% of the lecturers in a typical university are from the same state.”
Osodeke urged the board to manage TETFund resources wisely for the benefit of future generations. He emphasised that properly managed resources could address many of the current problems facing the education sector.
However, he also pointed out that many campus projects dating back to 2014 and 2015 remain incomplete. “I appeal to the Minister and board members to assess how the funds have been used,” Prof. Osodeke said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, congratulated the board and acknowledged the significance of their appointment. He emphasized that their appointment comes at a crucial time when Nigeria is undergoing significant reforms in the education sector, particularly in teacher education.
“I want to assure you of the cooperation of the agency and the colleges to ensure that your work progresses smoothly. I will end by thanking the President for finding you worthy and the honorable Minister who made the recommendation,” he said.