President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the disbursement guidelines and release of 2026 annual direct intervention funds through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to over 271 beneficiary institutions across the country.

Under the 2026 intervention cycle, TETFund is to disburse N2.525 billion to each beneficiary University as an annual direct intervention, while polytechnics would receive N1.871 billion each and Colleges of Education would get N2.056 billion each.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono announced this on Tuesday in Abuja during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with heads of beneficiary institutions on the 2026 disbursement guidelines, where allocation letters for the 2026 intervention were also distributed.

Echono said the total annual direct disbursement accounts for approximately 90.75 per cent of the funds, with annual direct disbursements at 50 per cent and special direct disbursements at 43.75 per cent.

He commended President Tinubu for his timely approval of the 2026 Disbursement Guidelines and for his steadfast commitment to the repositioning of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, under annual direct disbursements, 271 beneficiary institutions will receive allocations as follows: “All universities, regardless of age, size, or enrolment, will receive N2,525,932,228.02 per university, all polytechnics will receive N1,871,059,920.53 each, and all Colleges of Education will receive N2,056,527,973.04 each.

“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 also said the funds were meant to strengthen the quality and impact of research in beneficiary institutions.

The TETFund boss disclosed that in an attempt to further strengthen the quality and impact of research in the beneficiary institutions, the Fund has introduced a new Intervention Line in the Year 2026 annual direct intervention, which is the Nigerian Research and Education Network (Ng REN).

“This new intervention line aims to improve access to global academic resources and to integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN with effect from the 2026 intervention. With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact,” he stated.

He said the Fund would continue to equip and upgrade R&D offices, laboratories, and workshops. Student exposure programmes will be strengthened through private-sector partnerships and direct construction initiatives.

“We are sustaining interventions in security infrastructure and training, completing long-abandoned projects, and enhancing design-technical relationships.

“Research and innovation remain priorities, with support for the National Research Fund, the Research Meets Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outcomes. ICT development also remains a key focus. Multiple research labs are under development.

“Four are expected to be completed and commissioned this year, and two more have recently commenced, with completion scheduled for next year. In agriculture, we are transitioning large university farms to modern greenhouses and equipment to improve productivity and reduce labour intensity.

“Our ICT roadmap will be strengthened through expanded digital services, experience centres, substation-based internet access, and advanced international education, research and application services. We are also conducting assessments of how institutions use their resources, which will inform discretionary budget allocations. Performance will guide additional allocations,” he added.

He further urged all heads of institutions to fully utilise their 2025 allocations, saying that the Fund will base future allocations on performance, enrolment, and demonstrated progress.

“Institutions with unutilised funds will not receive additional allocations until existing resources are fully deployed. We are promoting knowledge sharing, supporting initiatives that enhance skills, and ensuring prompt payment to contractors. Applications for fund releases will be processed quickly, and contractors will be paid within two weeks of milestone completion to avoid delays,” he added.

Echono highlighted some challenges faced during the 2025 intervention cycle, including undue delays in processing projects for approval in principle and obtaining due process for implementation, which is worrisome.

He, therefore, advised beneficiary institutions to execute their procurement planning processes early enough to avoid these delays.

“Also worrisome is the slow and reluctant utilisation of the TERAS platform with all its associated services by some beneficiary institutions.

“The Fund will be paying closer attention to this in the year 2026. The Fund also expects better documentation and knowledge of its guidelines for its training and content intervention lines,” he stated. (TRIBUNE)