Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal Government has announced that tertiary institutions with fewer than 2,000 enrolled students will no longer be eligible for funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa, during a one-day strategic engagement with institutional heads, bursars, and procurement officers held in Lagos on Friday.
Highlighting the need for efficiency in public resource allocation, Alausa noted that the decision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reposition the nation’s tertiary education financing model for maximum impact.
“We are no longer in a position to subsidise inefficiency,” Alausa stated. “Institutions must demonstrate value, reach, and effectiveness to qualify for government interventions.”
He expressed concern over the lopsided disbursement of funds to under-enrolled institutions, revealing that some polytechnics established as early as 2019 currently serve only between 350 and 550 students, yet receive the same level of funding as institutions with over 18,000 students.
“This is not sustainable,” the Minister emphasized. “Henceforth, institutions that, after five years of operation, fail to surpass a 2,000-student enrollment threshold will be ineligible for TETFund support until they scale up their capacity.”
The meeting, which involved institutions from Nigeria’s southern zone, also reviewed the 2024/2025 intervention guidelines. Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, performance, and accountability in managing education funds.
Speaking further, he addressed the rising number of unregulated satellite campuses, describing the trend as “unproductive and fiscally irresponsible.”
In a shift of policy direction, the minister also disclosed that funding for overseas scholarships will be redirected to strengthen local capacity. He explained that data showed 85 per cent of Nigerian scholars sent abroad on public funds never returned to contribute to national growth.
“Most of the courses these students pursue can be handled right here. That’s why we’ve established 28 Centres of Excellence across the country, aimed at improving postgraduate education, promoting research, and creating job opportunities,” Alausa said.
In his remarks, TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono emphasized that the agency is transitioning to a more sustainable, performance-based funding framework. He cautioned that institutions which underperform or mismanage funds could lose access to future allocations.
“Institutions that fail to meet academic and financial accountability standards risk being delisted,” Echono warned. “This policy is not punitive—it’s aimed at ensuring the Fund’s resources are used where they will make the most difference.”
Echono also encouraged deeper reforms and greater institutional discipline, particularly in areas such as hostel development, innovation hubs, and infrastructure management through Public-Private Partnerships.
The engagement concluded with a strong call for best practices in governance, compliance, and accountability to uphold the integrity of the nation’s tertiary education system.
By Adeola Olaniya| May 16, 2025
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