TETFund Budget Rises to ₦1.6 Trillion as Masari Demands Results from Universities

The announcements include ₦10 billion for skills acquisition centres in polytechnics and ₦48 billion for upgrading engineering and technology facilities in 12 universities.

Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) recorded a budget increase from ₦320.3 billion in 2023 to ₦1.6 trillion in 2025, as its Board of Trustees Chairman, Aminu Bello Masari, called on beneficiary institutions to ensure increased funding translates into measurable improvements in tertiary education.

Masari made the call at TETFund’s 2026 National Town Hall Meeting in Abuja on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

The budget increase reflects the Federal Government’s growing financial commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system. However, TETFund’s leadership has emphasised that the impact of the funding must be evident in improved infrastructure, stronger research capacity and better outcomes for graduates. Masari also highlighted specific interventions aimed at improving practical education, including a ₦10 billion commitment to skills acquisition centres in polytechnics across Nigeria in 2026.

TETFund Commits ₦10 Billion to Polytechnic Skills Centres

The initiative is designed to strengthen practical training and help students acquire skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship.

Masari said the programme includes establishing skills development centres, providing training equipment and consumables, and training quality assurance assessors to improve the standard of skills training.

He disclosed that nearly 1,000 assessors had been trained under the initiative, with further training ongoing.

Beyond polytechnic skills centres

TETFund has also approved ₦48 billion to upgrade engineering and technology facilities in 12 universities alongside support for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centres. The interventions are aimed at strengthening practical training and preparing students for employment.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)