The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated N7.4 billion for infrastructural development at the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, located in the Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees and former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, made this known on Friday while commissioning a newly built N1.3 billion administrative block and ICT centre at the college.
Masari explained that from the total allocation, N6.9 billion has already been accessed, leaving a balance of N462.9 million, most of which has been committed to ongoing projects. He said, “The total cost of the projects to be commissioned today is N1,391,116,511.32. You may also wish to know that from the start of TETFund interventions at this college, the Fund has allocated a total of N7,388,131,247.96 for infrastructure-related projects only. Out of this, a total of N6,925,204,879.46 has been accessed, leaving a balance of N462,926,368.50, most of which is already committed.”
The TETFund chairman reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country. According to him, the commissioning of the new projects aligns with TETFund’s broader vision of making Nigerian tertiary institutions globally competitive and relevant in the digital age.
“For us at TETFund, the inauguration of projects is a pointer to progress and success in aligning with TETFund’s vision of making our institutions globally relevant and competitive in this age of pronounced digital advancement and the increasing relevance and impact of artificial intelligence,” he said. “We are resolved, as an agency of the Federal Government, to keep pace with current advancements and are making significant efforts to ensure that our beneficiary institutions are up to date through support to acquire relevant tools for knowledge creation, learning, research, teacher training, entrepreneurship and skills development.”
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, commended TETFund for its continued support in improving the quality of education in the state. He described the new projects at the College of Education and the ongoing developments at Akwa Ibom State University as clear evidence of TETFund’s impact.
“These interventions show the extent to which the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the ARISE agenda of the state government are shaping education to make life better for Nigerians,” Eno said. “From what we see in Akwa Ibom State University—a significant signature of TETFund—and what we are seeing here at the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, in accessing over N7 billion, this is commendable. It shows how the President’s renewed emphasis on education aligns with our ARISE priorities to make Nigeria hopeful and greater again.”
The Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Daniel Udo, recalled that when he assumed office, there were unaccessed interventions from 2017 to 2020. He said the college was at risk of losing these funds due to delayed applications but was able to resolve the issue after discussions with TETFund officials in Abuja. Udo expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that it has repositioned the college for better academic performance and infrastructural growth.