Institutions flouting project, funding rules risk being blacklisted — TETFund
By Sodiq AdelakunThe Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has issued a strong warning to tertiary institutions that fail to meet funding accountability standards, declaring that the era of wasteful spending and unproductive enrolment is over.
Speaking to heads of institutions, bursars, and procurement officers during a high-level strategic engagement in Abuja on Monday, Echono voiced concerns over widespread inefficiencies in the use of intervention funds, abandoned projects, and unreasonably low enrolment figures, particularly in public institutions that continue to receive federal funding.
“It is deeply embarrassing that a polytechnic in the South-East has only 30 students after four years of operation and yet continues to receive funding,” Echono said. “Such inefficiency undermines our mission and invites unnecessary scrutiny from both the presidency and the public.”
Echono made it clear that institutions failing to meet TETFund’s benchmarks for enrolment, academic performance, and project execution would no longer receive disbursements. He also stressed that institutions could not blame previous administrations for stalled or failed projects.
“When you inherit an office, you inherit both assets and liabilities. We urge you to take ownership and work closely with the community to resolve long-standing infrastructure challenges,” he said.
The TETFund Executive Secretary also lamented that several institutions continue to hold unutilised funds and fail to account properly for disbursed resources. He asserted that such practices would no longer be tolerated.
“Unutilised funds will be withdrawn and reallocated to more responsible institutions,” Echono warned, adding that any institution failing to provide proper retirement of funds would be blacklisted.
He commended institutions that have shown innovation in project proposals and maintained accountability, assuring continued support for those that prioritise transparency.
Echono also noted recent developments, including TETFund’s initiative to provide hospital accommodation for medical students undergoing clinical rotations, a project he described as a model for future interventions in the sector.
Addressing criticism over the establishment of new tertiary institutions, Echono defended the move, pointing to Nigeria’s demographic realities.
“Our young people make up nearly 60 percent of the population. If we don’t create space for them, the consequences will be severe. We must ensure we increase enrolment to give a larger proportion of our students access to education,” he stated.
He also addressed the suspension
