The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled its 2026 Disbursement Guidelines, announcing significant funding allocations and new intervention programmes aimed at strengthening infrastructure, research, innovation and capacity across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking at a Strategic Workshop with Heads of Beneficiary Institutions held at the TETFund Auditorium in Abuja on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, said the engagement was designed to review the 2025 intervention cycle while preparing institutions for effective implementation of the 2026 funding framework.
“This yearly strategic meeting provides us the opportunity for meaningful discussions and feedback on the implementation of the 2025 disbursement cycle, while aligning stakeholders on the 2026 Disbursement Guidelines,” Echono said. “Our goal as an intervention agency remains to enhance the impact of our programmes by focusing on performance and strengthening partnerships with beneficiary institutions.”
The ES expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the 2026 guidelines, describing the move as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to repositioning tertiary education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Chairman and members of the TETFund Board of Trustees for their roles in ensuring the timely preparation of the guidelines.
Reflecting on the 2025 intervention cycle, the TETFund boss noted that the Fund recorded “notable milestones,” including improved policy alignment, strengthened stakeholder engagement, timely programme implementation and sustained capacity-building initiatives.
According to him, TETFund organized several strategic engagements in 2025, including workshops for heads of institutions, bursars, procurement officers, directors of physical planning, academic planning and ICT, as well as a campus security workshop to address growing security challenges in tertiary institutions.
“These engagements are part of our effort to ensure collective commitment and shared experiences in delivering on our mandate, and we intend to sustain them in 2026,” Echono said.
He disclosed that the Fund also deployed targeted high-impact interventions in 2025, such as the rehabilitation of medical schools across the six geopolitical zones, public-private partnership hostel projects, establishment of medical simulation centres, staff support funds, provision of electric tricycles for campus transportation, and the rollout of students’ start-up and innovation grants.
“I am pleased to inform you that many of these initiatives have been sustained in the 2026 guidelines,” he added, urging beneficiary institutions to fast-track implementation.
On challenges encountered in 2025, Echono expressed concern over delays in project approvals and weak utilization of the TERAS digital platform.
“The undue delay in processing projects for approval and the slow adoption of the TERAS platform are worrisome. The Fund will be paying closer attention to this in 2026,” he warned.
Highlighting the 2026 disbursement framework, Echono said 90.75 per cent of funds would go to direct disbursement, made up of 50 per cent annual direct disbursement and 40.75 per cent special direct disbursement, while designated projects would receive 9.07 per cent and stabilization funds 0.18 per cent.
Under the annual direct disbursement, 271 beneficiary institutions are expected to receive allocations of N2.53 billion per university, N1.87 billion per polytechnic and N2.06 billion per college of education.
“These funds are meant to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive overall transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” he said.
A major innovation in the 2026 cycle, according to Echono, is the introduction of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which will improve access to global academic resources and integrate the TERAS platform into a unified research and education network.
He also announced plans to establish Centres for Robotics, Coding and AI Machine Learning, as well as Centres for Cybersecurity Studies, in selected institutions, alongside the expansion of commercial farm projects to 12 additional beneficiary institutions.
Laboratory development, agricultural research, ICT services, campus security, completion of abandoned projects and disaster recovery measures will also receive renewed attention in 2026, Echono said.
“With these strategic interventions, 2026 promises to be a year of strengthened capacity, innovation and measurable impact across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” he stated.
In his closing remarks, Echono thanked the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its role in the collection of education tax in 2025 and urged heads of institutions to ensure full utilization of their 2025 allocations as preparations begin for the 2026 intervention cycle.
“I look forward to an engaging interaction that will further shape our interventions and ensure we continue to deliver on our mandate,” he said.