2026: FG ALLOCATES OVER N6BN TO 271 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Read Time:3 Minute, 24 Second
By : Balogun Ibrahim
The Federal Government has approved over ₦6 billion in intervention funds for 271 tertiary institutions across the country in 2026.
The approved funds, distributed through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will be allocated to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
TETFund Executive Secretary Sunny Echono, while presenting the figures at the annual disbursement meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said each university will receive ₦2,525,932,228.02, polytechnics ₦1,871,059,920.53 each, and colleges of education ₦2,056,527,973.04 each.
The disbursement cycle breakdown shows that total direct disbursements account for 90.75 per cent, including an annual direct disbursement of 50 per cent and a special direct disbursement of 40.75 per cent. Designated projects make up 9.07 per cent, while stabilisation funds account for 0.18 per cent.
He, however, expressed concern over the delays by beneficiary institutions in processing projects for approval and completing the necessary procedures for implementation.
Echono urged institutional heads to carry out their procurement planning early to avoid such setbacks.
“Another area of concern is the slow and reluctant use of the TERAS platform and its associated services by some beneficiary institutions. The Fund will be monitoring this more closely in 2026,” he added.
“The Fund also expects improved documentation and a stronger understanding of its guidelines for training and content intervention programmes, which will help address challenges faced by scholars in beneficiary institutions,” Echono cautioned.
He added that TETFund will continue supporting initiatives to enhance security infrastructure and training, complete long-abandoned projects, and strengthen disaster recovery measures.
Research and innovation, he noted, remain a key priority, with continued support for the National Research Fund, institutional R&D partnerships, the Research-Meets-Industry initiative, and the commercialisation of research outcomes, among other programmes.
He said laboratory and agricultural development will receive a significant boost in 2026.
“We are enhancing ongoing multipurpose laboratory projects, establishing two new labs, and creating additional agricultural laboratories and demonstration farms,” he said.
“Our ICT roadmap will also be strengthened, with expanded digital services, ICT Experience Centers, subscription-based internet access, and continued development of the Tertiary Education Research Application Services (TERAS).
“With these strategic interventions, 2026 is set to be a year of increased capacity, innovation, and measurable impact across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
“I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and its leadership for the collection of Education Tax in 2025.
“As we move towards implementing the development levy under the new tax regime, the diligent efforts of FIRS, in collaboration with beneficiary and other agencies, will enable us to continue delivering on our mandate and achieving our goals in the years ahead.
“As we prepare to commence the 2026 intervention cycle, I urge all heads of beneficiary institutions to fully utilise their 2025 allocations and look forward to engaging interactions that will further shape our programmes,” he added.
According to TETFund Executive Secretary Sunny Echono, the Fund has taken measures to enhance the quality and impact of research in beneficiary institutions, introducing a new intervention line in the 2026 annual direct intervention: the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).
READ MORE…
EXTRA VIGILANCE NEEDED IN HARMATTAN SEASON, KANO FIRE SERVICE WARNS
He explained that the initiative aims to improve access to global academic resources and integrate the Tertiary Education Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN starting in 2026.
“With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact,” Echono said.
He added that Special Intervention Projects will also be expanded to include the establishment of Centers for Robotics, Coding & AI Machine Learning, and Centres for Cybersecurity Studies in selected institutions.
An additional 12 institutions will benefit from the commercial farm project, including two universities, eight polytechnics, and two colleges of education.
“The Fund will continue equipping and upgrading R&D offices in beneficiary institutions and will advance the development of student hostels through Public–Private Partnerships,” Echono announced.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0