…universities get N2.8bn, colleges get 2.1bn, Poly 1.9bn
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a whopping sum of N700 billion as 2025 budget allocation to beneficiary institutions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono during the 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting held with heads of the institutions on Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking at the workshop, Echono said the primary focus of the engagement is the 2025 Disbursement Guidelines, adding that the session provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions, collaboration, and feedback on the 2024 disbursement cycle.
He said, “I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has approved the Year 2025 disbursement guidelines in the total sum of N700 billion.
“According to him, the 2025 disbursement allocation is structured as follows: the total Direct disbursement of (91.08%), is made up of (48.90%) as annual direct disbursement and (42.18%) as Special direct disbursement. Designated Projects account for (8.72%), while Stabilization funds are (0.20%)”.
He explained that under direct allocation, each University will get N2, 560,562,352.66 as normal allocation and 300,000,000.00 zonal allocation bringing it to over N2.8 billion for each beneficiary University.
In the same vein, each Polytechnic is allocated N1,794,335,731.71 as normal allocation and N200,000,000.00 as zonal allocation bringing it to over N1.9 billion for each beneficiary Polytechnic.
The Colleges of Education on the other hand got 1,978,428,260.79 as normal allocation while zonal allocation was 200,000,000.00, making it over 2.1 billion for each beneficiary College of Education.
Echono said: “In this regards each category of beneficiary institution has been allocated the Annual Direct Disbursement as follows: Normal and Zonal allocations as University N2, 560,562,352.66, normal allocation N300,000,000.00 total 2,860,562,362.66.
“Polytechnic, Normal allocation N1,794,335,731.71 and Zonal N200,000,000.00 total N1,994,335,731.71 while Colleges of Education have N1,978,428,260.79 normal allocation and N200,000,000.00 zonal allocation, total N2,178,428,260.79.
“Under the Special Direct Disbursement category, key initiatives include increased funding and expanded participation in the Special High Impact Programme (SHIP), completion of the National Library building in Abuja, establishment of mechanized farms in some universities, and accelerated provision of student hostels through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and direct construction in fulfilment of Mr. president promise to Nigerian student and in furtherance of plans of our institution.
“Our intervention activities have increased significantly, aligning with national priorities outlined in the Education Sector Road Map under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and championed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa”, he said.
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“I extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), under the leadership of Mr. Zaccheus Adelabu Adedeji, for the sustained improvement in revenue collection.
“We are indeed grateful to Mr. President for his painstaking efforts in sustaining allocative efficiency as well as prudent deployment of the funds resources to achieve desired impact”.
“In line with Federal Government’s directives, all Physical Infrastructure Development allocations for 2025 shall be directed toward the upgrading, rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated infrastructure in our beneficiary institutions.
“This was communicated to you earlier to enable you consult widely and prepare your projects ahead of time.
“You were also advised to employ the services of your consultancy units and or physical planning units in the preparation and project under the current disbursement cycle, the Fund has significantly increased the allocation for Research and Innovation, Academic Staff Training and Development, as well as Manuscript and Book Development.
“It has also increased significantly the numbers of beneficiary institutions for its special and designated projects,” he stated.
The TETFund boss noted that other key focus areas in the 2025 disbursement guidelines include expanding infrastructure to enhance student’s intake for Doctors, Nurses, pharmacist and Dentist in Nigerian universities and colleges of medicine, adoption of medical simulation and technology to improve curriculum delivery and patient care, provision of alternative power to selected beneficiary institutions to obscure current difficulties in coping with energy costs.
Echono further disclosed that there was also provision to address campus security, enabling disaster recovery and completing previously distressed projects.
Arc. Sonny Echono charged heads of beneficiary institutions on early implementation of their allocation. He advised them to consult widely with their community in the implementation of TETFund projects and also ensure timely payments to contractors and vendors when due.
“I urge all Heads of Beneficiary Institutions to ensure the full utilization of their 2024 and previous allocations, while fast tracking the procurement process to access their 2025 allocations.
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