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TETFund Budget Jumps From N320bn To N1.6trn, Says Masari
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Published 10/17/2026 11:48:25 AM
TETFund Budget Jumps From N320bn To N1.6trn, Says Masari – THISDAYLIVE
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) budget has risen sharply from N320.3 billion in 2023 to N1.6 trillion in 2025, reflecting increased federal government investment in tertiary education.
Chairman of TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, disclosed this at the 2026 National Town Hall Meeting of the Fund held in Abuja yesterday.
Masari said the figure rose from N320.3 billion in 2023 to N683.4 billion in 2024 before hitting N1.6 trillion in 2025, about five times the 2023 allocation, demonstrating President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development.
He however stressed that the increased funding must translate to tangible results in academic performance, research output and graduate employability.
Masari disclosed that 271 institutions are covered under the 2026 annual direct intervention, with about N2.526 billion for each university, N1.871 billion for each polytechnic and N2.057 billion for each college of education.
He said the Fund committed N10 billion in 2026 to skills acquisition centres in polytechnics, supported innovation and entrepreneurship facilities in 12 universities, and approved N48 billion for upgrading engineering and technology facilities.
He added that about N6.09 billion was approved for 174 successful research proposals under the 2025 National Research Fund grant cycle, while presidential approval has been secured for six additional Centres of Excellence in robotics, coding, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity, bringing the total to 36 centres.
Masari urged beneficiary institutions to ensure transparency, prudent management and proper maintenance of facilities, warning that funding alone cannot fix all challenges.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said government is pushing curriculum reforms to produce graduates with practical, industry-relevant skills, commending TETFund for supporting infrastructure, research and specialised equipment.
Alausa said reforms include a proposed 80 percent practical and 20 percent theoretical curriculum model, with 36 new and reviewed National Diplomas, 10 additional ND programmes, 30 National Certificates in Education and 21 National Occupational Standards already produced 27 new and four reviewed.
He said programmes will continue to be aligned with labour market demands, and that initiatives like NELFUND will expand access so that financial hardship, disability or location does not block qualified Nigerians from completing education.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described education as critical to human capital development and national productivity, calling for effective monitoring and transparent reporting to ensure investments deliver impact.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed that over 418 projects are ready for commissioning across beneficiary institutions, with 14 projects at one institution alone.
He said the Fund is expanding investments in infrastructure, research, student welfare, innovation and digital learning, supporting student innovation from idea development to intellectual property protection and industry linkage.
Echono added that student transportation initiatives cover 42 institutions, with about 98 schools provided electric-powered vehicles for affordable student transport, while the Fund is working with the Ministry of Labour to align skills development with manpower needs.
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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
