By Tobi Saviour
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETfund) has reiterated its commitment to solve perennial power outage facing tertiary institutions in South South and other parts of Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2025 TETfund Board of Trustees Town Hall Meeting for Stakeholders of Beneficiary institutions – South South in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital , the Board of Trustee member from the region Hon Aboh Uduyok said the board has approved Mini Grid Power Project under the 2025 intervention cycle with N70b allocation across 18 institutions .
” To address one of the most persistent challenges facing our tertiary institutions , the high cost of electricity, the board has approved the Mini Grid Power Project under year 2025 intervention cycle with N70b allocation across 18 tertiary institutions which have been selected to benefit from sustainable mini grid energy solutions .
” This bold step will ensure a stable ,cost effective and renewable electricity supply to campuses thereby reducing operational costs and enhancing research and learning.”
Uduyok said TETfund has extended several projects to tertiary institutions in the South South region under the high impact projects by the intervention agency.
He mentioned beneficiary institutions in the South South to include Delta state Polytechnic, Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Remola, Federal Polytechnic,Auchi Edo state , Isaac Jasper Boro College Of Education, Bayelsa, Federal College of Education, Ididep, Akwa Ibom state among others .
Uduyok also listed institutions benefiting from Hostel Intervention programmes by TETfund in the South South as University of Benin, University of Calabar , Bayelsa Medical University, River state University, Federal University Ekowe , Federal Polytechnic Orogun , College of Education, Nobody and College of Education, Afaha Nsit in Akwa Ibom state respectively.
The BoT member of TETfund noted that tertiary institutions from South South were among the beneficiaries of 2025 Disaster Recovery Intervention projects including Federal University of Science and Technology in Ikot Abasi Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri , Admiralty University, Ibusa, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce and University of Cross River state.
He said TETfund also embark on upgrade of Equipment in workshop and laboratory for universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (Technical) of Education within the period under review adding that other projects we’re ongoing in tertiary institutions in the South South region.
” The Board of Trustees envisions tertiary tertiary institutions that are globally competitive, innovative and deeply responsive to the needs of stakeholders.
” As we remain steadfast in strengthening accountability frameworks, expanding investments in alternative energy solutions, promoting advanced research in Agriculture and health sciences and consolidating our ICT platforms ”
Uduyok explained that the task of intervening in the tertiary education infrastructure demand collaboration with stakeholders and active participations.
” The journey ahead requires the collective effort of all stakeholders. The responsibility of shaping the future of Nigerian higher education can not rest solely on TETfund or government institutions.
” It demands collaboration, shared ownership and active participation by all, institutions, communities, industries and civil society.”
He urged the stakeholders to transform research work to economic products in order to contribute to economic development in the Renewed Hope Agenda of president Tinubu.
“We have committed over N120b to the medical sector in tertiary institutions. This will to check “jappa” syndrome . We have built kidney transplant centre at Uthman Danfodio University in Sokoto
” We have discovered lack of maintenance culture of facilities and hereby charge you to own up the facilities provided for you . Take them as your property and don’t let them decay in your hands ”
The stakeholders while reacting appealed to TETfund to increase education tax from the present 3 per cent as the 0.5 increment from the 2.5 per cent was not enough to cater for education needs .
The stakeholders in their various presentations queried the creation of special desk for Ministry of Education in TETfund describing it as monitoring spirits.
” There is no need for a special Desk for ministry of education in TETfund . What are they doing there? Are they monitoring spirits?
The stakeholders also raised concern over consideration by TETfund for private universities more than government owned institutions in the area of research and manpower training.
” You have considered private tertiary institutions over government owned . This is not supposed to be so” .
TETfund to tackle power outage in tertiary institutions in South South
