The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has announced plans to disburse ₦6.452 billion to public tertiary institutions under the 2026 intervention cycle, as part of efforts to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen research capacity, and expand digital learning across Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Echono disclosed in Abuja during a stakeholders’ workshop on the 2026 disbursement guidelines, where allocation letters were also issued to beneficiary institutions. Under the new intervention cycle, each university will receive ₦2.525 billion, while polytechnics and colleges of education will get ₦1.871 billion and ₦2.056 billion respectively.
He explained that about 90.75 per cent of the total allocation would be paid as direct disbursements, combining annual and special intervention funds. A total of 271 beneficiary institutions are expected to receive allocations, with all universities receiving equal amounts regardless of age, size, or student enrolment, while polytechnics and colleges of education will also get uniform sums within their categories.
According to Echono, the intervention is designed to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, improve academic programmes, support research and innovation, and drive overall transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He said a major focus of the 2026 cycle is improving the quality and global relevance of research outputs, alongside expanded access to international academic resources.
Echono also announced a new intervention line that will integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications, and Services platform into the Nigerian Research and Education Network from 2026, a move expected to enhance digital collaboration and research visibility for Nigerian institutions.
He said TETFund would continue to equip and upgrade research and development offices, laboratories, and workshops, while expanding student exposure programmes through private-sector partnerships and direct construction initiatives. He added that interventions in security infrastructure, completion of long-abandoned projects, and improved technical design standards would be sustained.
Research and innovation initiatives, including the National Research Fund, the Research Meets Industry programme, and the commercialisation of research outcomes, will remain priorities, alongside continued investment in ICT development. Echono disclosed that several research laboratories are under development, with four expected to be completed and commissioned this year, while two more are scheduled for completion next year.
In the agricultural sector, he said large university farms are being transitioned to modern greenhouse systems and mechanised equipment to improve productivity and reduce labour intensity. He added that the ICT roadmap would be strengthened through expanded digital services, experience centres, improved internet access, advanced international education research, and application services.
Echono urged heads of institutions to fully utilise their 2025 allocations, noting that future funding decisions will be based on performance, enrolment levels, and demonstrated progress. He warned that institutions with unutilised funds would not receive additional allocations until existing resources are fully deployed.
He also assured stakeholders that applications for fund releases would be processed promptly and that contractors would be paid within two weeks of completing agreed milestones, a measure aimed at reducing delays and improving project delivery across tertiary institutions.
