The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has announced plans to disburse ₦6.452 billion to beneficiary tertiary institutions under its 2026 intervention cycle.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, made this disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ workshop for heads of beneficiary institutions, where the 2026 disbursement guidelines were unveiled.

He explained that the intervention provides uniform allocations for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, aimed at boosting infrastructure development, research capacity and overall academic output across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Echono said that under the 2026 intervention cycle, each university is set to receive ₦2.525 billion, while polytechnics and colleges of education will get ₦1.871 billion and ₦2.056 billion respectively.

He added that direct disbursements account for about 90.75 per cent of the total allocation, comprising 50 per cent annual direct disbursements and 43.75 per cent special direct disbursements.

According to him, 271 beneficiary institutions will benefit from the annual direct disbursement component, with all universities, regardless of age, size or student population, receiving ₦2,525,932,228.02 each.

He added that each polytechnic would receive ₦1,871,059,920.53, while colleges of education are to get ₦2,056,527,973.04 apiece.

Echono said the funds are intended to strengthen critical physical infrastructure, improve academic programmes, and boost research and innovation, as part of efforts to drive broad-based transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

He noted that the intervention would also enhance the quality and impact of research outcomes in beneficiary institutions.

“This new intervention line aims to improve access to global academic resources and to integrate the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform into NgREN with effect from the 2026 intervention.

“With these investments, 2026 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and measurable impact,” Echono said.

The TETFund chief said the Fund will continue to upgrade research and development facilities, laboratories and workshops, while also expanding student exposure programmes through partnerships with the private sector.

He disclosed that several research laboratories are currently under development, underscoring the need to sustain attention on the research and innovation space.

“Four are expected to be completed and commissioned this year, and two more have recently commenced, with completion scheduled for next year.

“In agriculture, we are transitioning large university farms to modern greenhouses and equipment to improve productivity and reduce labour intensity.

“Our ICT roadmap will be strengthened through expanded digital services, experienced centres, substation-based internet access, and advanced international education research and application services,” Echono noted.

He urged heads of institutions to ensure full utilisation of their 2025 allocations, noting that future disbursements will be tied to performance, enrolment levels and measurable progress.

According to him, institutions with unutilised funds will not be eligible for further allocations until existing resources are fully deployed.

In January 2024, TETFund unveiled its 2024 intervention cycle, approving over ₦643 billion for disbursement to public tertiary institutions nationwide.