The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has earmarked the sum of N70 billion in its 2025 budget for provision of alternative power supply to selected tertiary institutions across as part of broader efforts of the Federal Government to address energy crisis in higher education in Nigeria.
Equally, the management of the intervention Agency has warned that it would delist any beneficiary institutions that fail to meet performance benchmarks or mismanage allocated funds.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono spoke on Monday at a one-day strategic engagement with heads of tertiary institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement of the Fund’s beneficiary institutions in Abuja on Monday.
He particularly charged the heads of the tertiary institutions to work hard towards increased enrolment of students, warning that TETFund would not continue to fund institutions with few students on campuses, citing an institution with about 30 students and yet accessing all allocations.
Echono expressed concerns about the challenges most universities and other tertiary institutions face regarding the energy crisis, saying was in response that the Federal Government approved an allocation of N70 billion in this year’s intervention line to provide alternative energy, mostly solar power, to the institutions.
According to him, a committee on power has been constituted, while a significant allocation has been made this year to address the challenge.
“What we have done is to make a significant allocation for this year, about 70 billion. We recognize the challenges you face, particularly those with higher student population in paying electricity bills. So we want to be able to provide these competitive energy sources for you, mainly through solar,” Echono said.
The TETFund boss also advised the heads of tertiary institutions to ensure prompt access to funds allocated to them, saying government should not be talking about unaccessed funds when institutions have a deficit of infrastructure.
He noted that the gathering underscores the unwavering commitment to deepening collaboration, fostering institutional synergy, and strengthening collective understanding of the Fund’s operational, financial, and procurement frameworks.
He added that meeting was designed to address recurring issues of concern, streamline project implementation, and enhance the overall quality of tertiary education delivery in our nation.
“We stand at a critical juncture, where collective action, transparent processes and responsible governance can determine the future trajectory of our higher education institutions,” Echono stated.
Tribuneonline
