President Bola Tinubu has authorized the disbursement of more than N700 billion to tertiary institutions via the Tertiary Education Trust Fund in 2025, with each benefiting university set to receive N2.8 billion.

Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, made this announcement during the 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting with leaders of tertiary institutions in Abuja on Thursday.

Echono explained the allocation breakdown, revealing that 91.08% of the funds would be distributed directly. This includes 48.90% for annual direct disbursements and 42.18% for special direct disbursements.

Furthermore, 8.72% of the funds are designated for specific projects, while 0.20% is set aside for stabilization funds. “Following this approval, each university will receive N2.8 billion, polytechnics will get N1.9 billion, and colleges of education will receive N2.1 billion as part of the annual direct disbursement,” Echono stated. He highlighted that intervention activities have been considerably expanded to align with the national priorities outlined in the Education Sector Road Map under President Tinubu's administration, led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

Echono also emphasized the government's directive to prioritize physical infrastructure development allocations for 2025, focusing on upgrading, rehabilitating, and renovating deteriorating facilities at beneficiary institutions. “This directive was communicated earlier to allow institutions ample time to consult widely and prepare their projects in advance. Beneficiaries are encouraged to involve their consultancy and physical planning units when preparing projects for the current disbursement cycle,” he advised.

The Executive Secretary noted that TETFund had significantly increased allocations for research and innovation, academic staff training and development, as well as manuscript and book development.

Additionally, the number of institutions benefiting from special and designated projects has been expanded. Echono urged institutional leaders to begin the early implementation of their allocations, consult with their communities, and ensure timely payments to contractors and vendors.

“I urge all heads of beneficiary institutions to make full use of their 2024 and previous allocations while accelerating the procurement process to access their 2025 funds,” he said.

Echono also stressed the government's directive to prioritize physical infrastructure development allocations for 2025, with a focus on upgrading, rehabilitating, and renovating deteriorating facilities at beneficiary institutions.

“This directive was shared earlier to give institutions enough time to consult widely and prepare their projects ahead of time. Beneficiaries are encouraged to engage their consultancy and physical planning units when preparing projects for the current disbursement cycle,” he advised.

The Executive Secretary pointed out that TETFund had notably increased funding for research and innovation, academic staff training and development, as well as manuscript and book development.

Moreover, the number of institutions benefiting from special and designated projects has grown. Echono urged institutional leaders to begin implementing their allocations early, engage with their communities, and ensure prompt payments to contractors and vendors.

“I encourage all heads of beneficiary institutions to fully utilize their 2024 and previous allocations and expedite the procurement process to access their 2025 funds,” he said.