By James Ilaboye
Since taking charge of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, in March 2022, Arc. Sonny Echono has embarked on an ambitious transformation of the country’s higher education funding mechanism. The architect-turned-administrator has introduced sweeping digital reforms and transparency measures that have reshaped how Nigeria’s 170 public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education access crucial funding.
Under Echono’s stewardship, TETFund has collected N1.5 trillion in education tax in 2024 alone, supporting what the fund describes as the largest education intervention programme in sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation, which has disbursed over N1.8 trillion to tertiary institutions between 2011 and 2024, has undergone significant operational changes that both supporters and critics acknowledge as transformative.
One visible change under Echono’s leadership has been the comprehensive digitisation of TETFund’s operations. The organisation has moved from paper-based processes to electronic systems, reducing processing times for funding applications and improving transparency in project monitoring. Universities and polytechnics now track their funding requests through digital platforms, a departure from the traditionally opaque bureaucratic processes that previously characterised the fund.
“The digitisation has streamlined our operations significantly,” said a senior official at a federal university in Lagos, who requested anonymity. “What used to take months now happens in weeks.”
This technological overhaul extends to project monitoring, with institutions required to provide regular digital updates on infrastructure development and research programmes. The system has enabled real-time tracking of the thousands of projects funded annually across Nigeria’s sprawling tertiary education landscape.
In research and International Partnerships, Echono has repositioned TETFund’s research agenda, expanding support for cutting-edge projects addressing Nigeria’s development challenges. The fund has facilitated partnerships between Nigerian institutions and international research networks, with particular focus on areas such as renewable energy, climate change, and healthcare innovation.
The capacity building programmes have seen thousands of academic and non-academic staff benefit from advanced training both within Nigeria and abroad. In 2024, TETFund sponsored over 2,000 staff members for PhD programmes and professional development courses, representing a significant increase from previous years.
Innovation hubs and technology incubation centres are being established across tertiary institutions, designed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. These centres aim to nurture startups and promote solutions to local challenges, addressing the persistent problem of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.
In April 2024, Echono faced corruption allegations which he categorically denied, describing claims of widespread corruption within TETFund as “exaggerated.” The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) subsequently petitioned the ICPC to investigate the fund’s leadership, maintaining pressure on the organisation to demonstrate accountability.
“The initial impression that TETFund is a cesspool of corruption was an exaggerated one,” Echono stated in July 2024, during an event where he was recognised as Champion Newspapers’ “Outstanding Public Servant of the Year.”
Beyond traditional infrastructure development, Echono has introduced rigorous quality assurance mechanisms for TETFund-funded projects. Contractors now face stricter oversight, with projects subject to enhanced monitoring to ensure they meet specified standards. This has resulted in improved delivery of lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, and student accommodation across Nigerian campuses.
The fund has also expanded its focus to include climate-conscious infrastructure, supporting the construction of solar-powered facilities and environmentally sustainable buildings in line with global sustainability trends.
Recognising Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis, TETFund under Echono has launched entrepreneurship and employability programmes designed to equip graduates with practical skills. These initiatives aim to shift the traditional mindset from job-seeking to job creation, potentially addressing the country’s unemployment rate which affects millions of university graduates.
The programmes include business incubation support, skills acquisition centres, and partnerships with private sector organisations to provide internship opportunities for students across different disciplines.
Looking Forward
As Echono continues his tenure, TETFund faces the dual challenge of maintaining reform momentum while addressing persistent questions about accountability and transparency. The fund’s ability to demonstrate measurable impact on Nigeria’s higher education outcomes will likely determine the sustainability of current reforms.
Recent awards and recognition, including his conferment with an Award of Excellence by the National Association of Academic Technologists in April 2024, suggest institutional support for his reform agenda.
The transformation of TETFund reflects broader debates about governance and accountability in Nigeria’s public institutions. As the country grapples with economic challenges and the need to improve its human capital development, the effectiveness of Echono’s reforms will be crucial in determining whether Nigeria can build the world-class tertiary education system it aspires to achieve.
