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  • Kano Poly Rector Harps With The Tetfund Intervention On Tertiary Institutions

    Kano Poly Rector Harps With The Tetfund Intervention On Tertiary Institutions

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    The Rector, Kano state Polytechnic, Associate Professor Kabir Bello Dungurawa has disclosed that the impact of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) in the development of tertiary education is immeasurable.

    He said this while delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Research Proposal Writing and Grant Management organized by the Tetfund and hosted by Kano State Polytechnic.

    Associate Professor. Kabir Bello Dungurawa emphasized the importance of the workshop, saying that it is a rare opportunity provided by the Fund which the participants should fully utilize.

    He thanked the Tetfund for given KSP the hosting right, while declaring the workshop open, the Rector, on behalf of the management, staff, and students of Kano State Polytechnic wished them fruitful deliberations and Allah’s guidance.

    ” On our part, we would continue to do our best towards the successful academic performance and to ensure that quality education is given in all the institutions that are under our management in order to meat our objectives of graduating professionals in every field with optimum results”. He emphasized.

  • TETFund Approves N130m Intervention Fund For Each Polytechnic

    TETFund Approves N130m Intervention Fund For Each Polytechnic

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved N130,000,000.00 as zonal intervention for each polytechnics in its 2023 intervention line, geared towards reinvigorating skills acquisition in polytechnics across the country.

    This was disclosed by the Director of Infrastructure of the Fund, Buhari Mika’Ilu at the TETFund/NBTE Sensitisation Workshop on the 2023 Zonal Intervention on Skills for Rectors and Directors of Skills in Beneficiary Polytechnics in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Mika’Ilu said that the intervention was to consolidate the efforts of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in increasing the capacities of polytechnics to deliver on their mandate.

    He said the intervention was mostly used to support institutions to meet basic requirements for accreditation.

    He said the intervention focused purely on projects with academic relevance, thereby addressing deficiencies in core areas of acquisition of essential instructional materials and equipment for teaching and learning and building capacities for the use of the equipment procured.

    He said, ”Funds are allocated in line with the provision of the Establishment Act and guided towards addressing critical and essential needs of the beneficiary institutions for the improvement of quality and maintenance of standards in the tertiary educational institutions.

    ”NBTE have been at the fore front in championing the need to have skills in the educational system in Nigeria.

    ”It is in response to this, that the Fund has prioritised the 2023 Zonal Allocation to polytechnics to be geared towards reinvigorating skills acquisition in the polytechnics across the country.

    ”This is to further consolidate on the efforts of NBTE of increasing the capacities of Polytechnics to deliver on their mandate.

    ”Therefore, the sum of N130,000,000.00 only allocated to each polytechnic has the main focus of procurement, Installation, Testing, Training and commissioning of relevant training materials.”

    The director also revealed that since inception of the Zonal Intervention in 2016, the Fund had allocated a total sum of N52,046,079,584.7 as zonal Intervention to enlisted polytechnics.

    ”In the year 2017, the Fund focused the Zonal intervention on “Student Dignity Project”. Hence, the intervention was used to upgrade and standardise all lavatory facilities or provision of new ones where necessary in academic areas of institutions, also shuttle buses (coaches) were also procured for students use among other projects.

    ”Most recently, the 2022 intervention was used for deployment of ICT facilities within the institutions in line with the guidelines developed by the Fund. This is essentially to increase the capacities of institutions to function effectively and deliver their programmes online.

    ”The Fund has allocated a total of N60,290,000,000.00 for Zonal Intervention for the year 2023 to all the two hundred and nineteen beneficiary institutions of which, the sum of N9,230,000,000.00 is allocated to polytechnics,” he added

    He said the intervention, a post-research activity, had created an opportunity for academic staff in Science and Technology Programmes to fabricate equipment, thus promoting skills development in the Polytechnics.

    Mika’Ilu expressed optimism that the intervention would in the long run, support the institution to resuscitate skills and improve graduate employability.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono charged rectors of polytechnics to explore the innovative approaches to skills development and as well device effective solutions that would enhance the quality and relevance of technical education in the institutions.

    Echono said that skills development and entrepreneurship represented a holistic process in which individuals in society pursue opportunities and address needs through innovation.

    He, however, said that acquiring skills prepares individuals for employment across all sectors of the economy and helps overcome numerous challenges as well fostering a brighter future for both the nation and individuals for global competition.

    ”Today, we recognise the significant strides made by TETFund and NBTE in promoting skills development in our beneficiary polytechnics.

    ”Our unwavering commitment to advancing technical and vocational education has paved the way for countless success stories, empowering individuals and transforming communities across our great nation.

    ”The purpose of this sensitisation workshop is to discuss and enlighten participants on two key areas: One is the skills agenda and occupational areas as a panacea for gainful employment of graduates and the second is the formalisation of the informal skills sector.

    ”By focusing on these aspects, we aim to address the critical needs for aligning our educational system with the demands of the labor market,” he said.

    The TETFund executive secretary acknowledged that graduates equipped with relevant skills and competencies were more likely to secure gainful employment and contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation, hence the need for the intervention.

    He added that the 2023 Zonal Intervention on Skills was a significant step towards transforming our education system and empowering students and citizens for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

    In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said that TETFund had been a very active promoter, supporter and financier of skills development in the country.

    Bugaje, however, called on polytechnic rectors to key into the formalisation of the informal sector using technology to drive the sector.

    He said that the N130 million given to polytechnics in the 2023 intervention line would not be used for building projects but rather to upgrade facilities for skills training, especially as about 10 skills had been identified.

    He called on the government to stop the conversation of polytechnics to universities, saying that henceforth, polytechnics without skills development centres would not be given accreditation for National Diploma programmes.

  • In 2022, TETFund Records N68bn Shortfall In Revenue

    In 2022, TETFund Records N68bn Shortfall In Revenue

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has revealed that its revenue collection for 2021 used for its operations in the 2022 fiscal year dropped by N68billion.

    The executive secretary of the fund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this in a one-day meeting of the heads of beneficial institutions in public tertiary institutions with the TETFund.

    Echono said that the revenue collection dropped from N257bn to N189bn, adding that the drop in revenue amounted to N68bn.

    He therefore said that in spite of the drop, the fund was able to move from the N189billion in 2021 to over N300billion in 2022, adding that the increase in collection was expected to increase disbursement to beneficiary institutions in 2023.

    “Our collections yield to our disbursement to you. We received N189 billion as against N257billion in 2021 which is a deficit or shortfall of N68billion in revenue and this has impacted on what you get from us.

    “Yet, I am pleased to report that despite this challenge, in the last eight months, we have disbursed more funds to you than any year in the establishment of the fund.

    “Our primary duty is actually a disbursement agency and we are expected to ensure that this is done judiciously for the purposes of funding projects in the various institutions, he said.

    Echono also noted that the president is committed to increasing the funding for education and with the support of the National Assembly, the tax rate was increased from 2 to 2.5 per cent, adding that is was a deliberate effort at mobilising resources for the fund.

    Echono further said that the 2022 zonal intervention would focus on improving and expanding its ICT capabilities to catch up with the rest of the world in the ICT space for needed national development.

  • COVID-19: Nigeria set to debut first vaccine in 18 months as TETFund supports local production with N450m

    COVID-19: Nigeria set to debut first vaccine in 18 months as TETFund supports local production with N450m

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Nigeria’s has began moves to kick start it’s initial COVID -19 vaccines in 18 months following support of N450 million donation by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    Meanwhile Project Manager, Nigeria COVID-19 Research Coalition (NCRC), Prof. Poopola Mustapha, has hinted that at least $500 million is needed yearly for research and development in the health sector.

    Mustapha disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a colloquium organised by the coalition.
    According to him, e proposition by the African Union (AU) has proposed that countries should set aside one per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a contribution for research and development (R&D).

    He said, “Our National GDP is $500 billion and one per cent of this is $5 billion.”
    Mustapha explained that before now, TETFund used to concentrate on funding for research and development only in the tertiary education sector, but for the first time, it brought together five institutions that are having real-time business in terms of the development of vaccines in the country, using the COVID-19 model.

    He noted that institutions involved include the National Veterinary Research Institute (NDRI), Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto; the University of Jos and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), as “we are looking at the reagents component of what is needed so that it can be produced locally.”

    Daybreak reports that the highest grant portfolio for research is around $20 million while the health sector requires at least $500 million yearly to have concrete research for qualitative development.

    Coordinator of NCRC, Dr. Chinwe Ochu, advocated for domestic funding for the pandemic and other health research in the country, and disclosed that her organisation was set up to conduct COVID19 research, but lamented the absence of funding.

  • TetFund Executes Over 10,000 Projects In 226 Public Tertiary Institutions Nationwide

    TetFund Executes Over 10,000 Projects In 226 Public Tertiary Institutions Nationwide

    By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has executed about 10,000 projects in 226 public tertiary institutions in its efforts to transform the education sector nation wide.

    Chairman TETFund, Alhaji Kashim Imam, disclosed this at the just concluded TETFund/FIRS 2021 joint interactive forum held at Pinnacle Hotels Monday in Maiduguri.

    In the same vein he hinted that, it has also “trained over 30,000 academic staff in Phd, and MSC studies both within and outside the country”.

    The 2021 Joint interactive session, which is the 6th in the series, was held in all the six geopolitical zones with a view of increasing the revenue collections of the TETFUND and also account to the public over what is being done with their taxes.

    TETFund, the chairman said had targetted about N500 billion in 2021 but due to COVID-19 pandemic, only about N300 billion was realized.

    According to him, the interactive session will afford them the opportunity to account for what they have been doing with tax payers money as they continue to put heads together to improve on Education Development Tax”.

    ”In 2021, the Fund designated 12 universities as Centres of Excellence and were given N1 billion each, while six Federal Polytechnics and six Colleges of Education also got N1 billion each which was spread across the six geopolitical zones”, Imam added.

    And that, also the Fund last year celebrated its 10th anniversary attracted applause from people stressing that “if not for TETFUND, what wil be of our tertiary institutions?”.

    In a paper presentation: “Improving EDT Collection in the Post Pandemic Era”, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Muhammad Nami, said the Service has in June last year deployed Promax technology that gives opportunity to taxpayer to pay in the comfort of his room and get tax certificate.

    Represented by the Coordinating of Tax Operating Group, Alhaji Kabir Abba said: “2020 to 2021 recorded low tax generation due to COVID-19 pandemic but I want toassure the TETFUND that with the deployment of PROMAX technology in June last year, which gives opportunity to taxpayer to pay their taxes at the comfort of their rooms/offices and get tax certificates, as well as block leakages, tax collection will increase which in turn means increased TETFUND revenue”.

    He said the technology, which is a game changer, will also block leakage stressing that business of tax collection is not a FIRS business but that of FIRS, taxpayers and TETFund.

    Nami said the services has also established Intelligence and strategic data department to block leakages in tax collection to monitor tax payment, adding that the Service partners the ICPC, EFCC, Customs Service ,among others to improve tax collections..

    Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Aliyu. Shugaba, who was represented by the DVC Administration, Prof. laminu Mohammed, said UNIMAID has always benefitted from the fund right from. ETF and that if not for TETFUND what will be of the tertiary institutions in the country.

    He said: “All issues in universities revolve around funding, even the issue of ASUU strike is funding. TETFUND has been a stabilizing factor in the education sector

  • Federation Honours UniPort VC on TETFUND Interventions Transparency & Due Process

    Freelance Journalists Federation (FJF) has honoured the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Georgewill Owunari for his dedication and transparency in ensuring judicious implementation of TETFUND projects in the institution to promote learning and research.

    Executive Director of FJF, Oduma Richard Oduma who gave the commendation during a visit to the University in Port Harcourt explained that the judicious implementation of TETFUND projects and other feats of the Vice Chancellor has made the institution stand tall in the country and beyond.

    Consequently, Oduma said the Federation in line with it’s mission to hold public servants accountable and promote excellence resolved to confer on Prof. Georgewill Owunari, TETFUND Projects Evaluation Awards to appreciate his management and encourage others to follow his sterling example.

    “Today, Prof. Georgewill Owunari is the recipient of the TETFUND Projects Evaluation Awards not because of his academic exploits and attainment. And not also because of his track record as an astute administrator…, this award instead is in recognition of hard work, transparency and accountability and most importantly, the fear of God in the discharge of his responsibilities as the Vice-Chancellor of one of the best Universities in Nigeria.

    “Your management’s transparent utilization of TETFUND assisted projects and research interventions has indeed acted as a morale booster for the agency to justify the objectives for its establishment. There are also other implications, and one of these is increased TETFUND Projects in the University of Port Harcourt which is due to the judicious implementation of earlier projects such as these, and this is why we are all gathered to give honour to whom honour is due.

    “TEFUND is an intervention agency set up to provide supplementary support to all levels of public tertiary institutions with the primary objective of using funding alongside project management for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of Tertiary Education in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, what Prof. Georgewill Owunari has demonstrated in the implementation of TETFUND projects is indeed unique and beneficial to the University of Port Harcourt”, Oduma noted.

    The FJF further urged relevant authorities in the nation’s education sector to strive to identify and celebrate outstanding administrators as a way of encouraging excellence.

    While congratulating Prof. Owunari for emerging victorious for what it described as keen contest, FJF urged the scholar to do more to justify the recognition.

    “It is also our prayer that the relevant authorities in Nigeria would identify you as one of the shining stars in the educational sector in Nigeria and consequently accord you that recognition”, Oduma added.

    Prof Clifford O Ofuru ,the deputy VC who represented the vice Chancellor said the honor was indeed a huge challenge on the management to do more, he further thanked the federation and maintained that the recent ranking of the university of Port-Harcourt indeed confirms the crediblity FJF TETFUND awards”

  • CoE Gidan Waya to Commission N750m TETFund Projects soon

    CoE Gidan Waya to Commission N750m TETFund Projects soon

    By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
    Kaduna State College of Education (CoE), Gidan Waya, is getting a face lift as several projects sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will be completed beginning from this month of March and beyond.
    This was gathered during an on-the-spot assessment of infrastructure by journalists at the permanent site of the school in Gidan Waya, Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state yesterday.
    The Projects which are nine in numbers, are estimated at a total cost of N750m.
    They include the construction of a new block of offices for Academic staff valued at N258 million for which N126 million has been paid to M/S Hayes Multi System Ltd., the contractor.
    “Another big project at the verge of completion is the construction of the N125 million ICT Resources Centre which, when completed, will make the college one of the ICT hubs in Kaduna state”, it was gathered.
    According to documents obtained by our reporter, the project is handled by M/S Denmark Construction and so far, the contractor has so been paid N62 million.
    In addition to the above, M/S Hannasons Nig. Ltd, is equipping the ICT Centre with about 700 computers and related facilities including its furnishing at a cost of  N125 million. Documents at our disposal shows that the contractor was paid N106 million so far.
    “But what excites most of the students on the campus is the construction of an ultra-modern Physical Health Education Complex complete with indoor games facilities.  “The N162 million complex, when completed, will have a sports hall with modern equipment including a gymnasium and exclusive classrooms and staff offices for its PHE department.
    “It’s going to be the best we have ever had in Kaduna and neighbouring states. And it will attract very respectable sport instructors and sports enthusiasts all over the country,” an elated staff who does not want his name mentioned informed our reporter at the site.
    It was also gathered that  TETFund had abandoned funding of these projects since 2018, when inspectors from the Federal Government funding agency could not match the level of money disbursed and the percentage of work done on site.
    “TETFund said it will not pay  another kobo on the projects as long as there was discrepancy in the percentage of job done and money paid out to the contractors before 2018,” said Danladi M. Aduwu, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the school.
    “This was the situation that the current Provost , Prof. Alexander Kure inherited when he became the Provost of the School in 2018,” he said.
    “I cannot count the number of trips that the Provost of the school  made to TETfund Headquarters in Abuja to convince its management that under his watch, all monies released for TETfund projects in the school will be accounted for.
    “What he did was to get the contractors and make them return to site. And once they returned and took the project commensurate to the funds released, TETFund became confident in the new leadership of this school and that is how you see all the revolutionary strides in infrastructure that the school is enjoying,” he said.
    “He is renovating dilapidated structures and improving on the poor road networks even with the tiny running cost he gets.  Go to our Consultancy Services at our Kafanchan Campus and see how he has turned the place around,” he said.
    “The Provost has always maintained that he does not want to disappoint Governor Nasir el-Rufai who appointed him, knowing that the governor is a man of class and taste when it comes to learning,” he went on.
    “He also acknowledges that the school is the most important government asset in Southern Kaduna which has turned out quality manpower into the Nigeria educational sector for which he is expected to improve on what he met, not draw it back.”
    The Scholar further affirmed his readiness to partner with major stake holders in education to ensure  the College remains the Flagship amongst similar institutions..
  • Kogi Poly Partners TETFUND In Training Staff on ICT

    Kogi Poly Partners TETFUND In Training Staff on ICT

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman has reinstated his commitment to ensure that the institution is driven by Information and Communication Technology in all phases. 

    As part of efforts to make the members of staff digitally compliant, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja is collaborating with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) to empower staff on Information and Communication Technology,(ICT).

    In a press statement issued by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, of the institution, Mrs Uredo Omale said the Rector gave the assurance while declaring the training open at the institution’s CBT Centre on Monday, noting that a standard institution like Kogi State Polytechnic must be driven by ICT in all phases.

    The week long capacity training which commenced on Monday according to the statement would see 91 members of staff, including Academic and Non-academic, gain knowledge on various aspects of ICT.

    Dr Usman said that the school had upgraded her ICT consciousness by having a Directorate of Information Technology and Resource Centre which has recorded much success within the short time of existence.

    He noted that the institution recently conducted a computer based test (CBT), which was largely supported by school personnel, reinstalled internet services on campus.

    Dr. Usman stressed that “all General Studies examinations would be computer-based as Tertiary Institution is supposed to be driven by ICT in all standards and that is why we talk about e-payment, e-learning and e-security, amongst others.”

    “We are already fixing CCTV in all nooks and crannies of the institution to enable us identify source of any social vices arrangements on the campus.”

    On the issue of Staff welfare, Dr Usman disclosed that payment of promotion arrears for staff would take effect from January 2021 all things being equal.

    He added that the capacity building  training on ICT for the Academic and Non-academic staff of the institution was also part of improving their welfare as it would make them to be relevant and digitally inclined to impact posively on the society.

    Dr Usman commended the Director of Information Technology Resource Centre, Dr Ayodele Oluwakemi for her efforts in ensuring that the training became a reality. He further  charged the 91 participants to take advantage of the training and acquire the requisite digital knowledge.

    In her remarks, the Director, ITRC, Dr Ayodele Oluwakemi said courses to be taken during the one week training includes Intermediate Module, ICT in Education, Digital Marketing, Preparation Output, Presentation Applications,  amongst others.

    The TETFUND team was  led by Mr. Abraham Obatokun as the  Lead Consultant, Mr. Oyeleye Olakunle as the  Training Administrator , Mr. Anthony Olosami, Mr. Adeyanmi Oyenuga and Mr. Adeleye Adeoye as facilitators respectively

  • TETFund retrieves N10bn from non-performing institutions

    TETFund retrieves N10bn from non-performing institutions

    Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), says Tetfund has retrieved N10 billion for projects awarded, but not executed by beneficiary institutions.
    Bogoro said this on Friday in Jos when he inaugurated the new University of Jos Faculty of Engineering building, the renovated burnt Main Library of the university and school’s new Faculty of Management building.
    The executive secretary, who also laid the foundation for the Faculty of Agriculture, said the retrieved funds for non-performance by the affected institutions, were re-arwarded to other institutions in dire need of infrastructure.
    He advised management of institutions in Nigeria to judiciously use funds allocated to them for building of structures without compromising standards.
    Bogoro assured that TetFund would ensure that all structures built in all institutions are of standard and also equipped with modern facilities.
    The executive secretary said that TETFund had settled over 1000 stranded students on scholarship.
    Bogoro added that Tetfund had so far spent over seven billion naira to facilitate studies by scholars abroad.
    “TETFund under my watch intends to offset all the bills of persons on its scholarship within and outside the country”.
    The Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof Sebastian Maimako, commended TETFund for the numerous projects executed in the university.
    Maimako assured TetFund of effective use and management of the structures built and equipped by TETFund.