By Joseph Erunke
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sanctioned ₦70 billion to fund the Mini-Grid Solar Power Project as part of the 2025 intervention cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, announced this development on Wednesday during the 2025 TETFund National Town Hall Meeting held in Abuja. The event convened prominent figures from the education sector, including government officials, vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and academic union representatives.
Masari, who previously served as Katsina State Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized that the solar initiative aims to advance renewable and sustainable energy solutions within Nigerian tertiary institutions. He revealed that the first phase of the project will benefit twelve selected universities and colleges.
The institutions earmarked for this phase include Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State; Northwest University in Kano; Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State; Alvan Ikoku University of Education in Owerri, Imo State; and Lagos State University, among others.
Highlighting the significance of the Town Hall Meeting, Masari described it as a pivotal platform for enhancing transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in Nigeria’s higher education system.
He also recounted key achievements under President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that TETFund has supported over 3,332 scholars pursuing master’s degrees and 4,796 doctoral candidates through its local scholarship scheme for academic staff.
“Our Fund remains committed to fostering teaching practice, facilitating conference participation, and promoting research and development, ensuring Nigerian tertiary institutions are staffed by highly skilled and internationally experienced academics,” Masari stated.
He further outlined the Board’s vision for Nigerian universities to be globally competitive, research-focused, and innovation-driven, producing graduates who are employable, entrepreneurial, and equipped to address national challenges.
“To realize this vision, we will enhance governance frameworks, increase investments in renewable energy and digital education platforms, support cutting-edge research in agriculture, health, and technology, and strengthen partnerships with industry and international collaborators to promote research commercialization and sustainable outcomes,” Masari added.
In his address, TETFund Executive Secretary Arc. Sonny Echono praised President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to tertiary education, particularly the recent hike in the education tax allocation from 2.5% to 3%, which has substantially expanded the Fund’s capacity to intervene.
Echono also announced a temporary suspension of foreign training for scholars, except for specialized courses, pending the rollout of a new policy framework. This move follows the President’s directive aimed at addressing the issue of government-sponsored scholars failing to return after studying abroad.
“The President expressed concern that many beneficiaries of overseas scholarships do not come back, which he considers unjust. Consequently, he has mandated the implementation of measures to ensure scholars are properly bonded and return to contribute their expertise to national development,” Echono explained.
Additionally, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), warned against the unchecked establishment of new universities, which he described as “constituency projects.” He argued that many of these institutions are created primarily to access TETFund resources rather than to improve educational quality and accessibility.
Osodeke called on the National Assembly to legislate a policy preventing newly founded universities and tertiary institutions from benefiting from TETFund interventions until they have been operational for a minimum of five to ten years.