TETFund Not Prioritising Infrastructure Over Research – Executive Secretary 

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr. Sonny Echono, has clarified that the agency is not prioritising physical infrastructure above research in tertiary institutions.

Echono made this known in an interview on Thursday in Abuja, emphasising that while TETFund is investing in fencing and other infrastructure, research remains a top priority.

“The truth is that we are doing fencing and other physical infrastructure in tertiary institutions, but we are not prioritising that above research.

“The reason why we are doing that is because, unfortunately for us as a country, we have a peculiar problem which is insecurity,” he stated.

Read Also: TETFund to Establish 72 ICT Centres in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

He further explained that the agency’s spending on fencing is significantly lower than its investment in research.

“We have been investing in it; we call it security infrastructure. The level of what we are doing in the area of fencing in schools is nothing compared to research in tertiary institutions,” he added.

Echono noted that fencing also helps protect school lands from encroachment, stressing that the most effective way to prevent such issues is by securing the perimeters.

He added that the initiative extends beyond tertiary institutions, benefiting secondary schools as well.

He reiterated that TETFund is committed to the overall development of tertiary institutions, not just infrastructure.

“We are changing the infrastructure, and if you go to our campuses every year, we are investing to upgrade facilities.

“Even this year, we have dedicated most of our funding to improving the existing infrastructure. We say don’t even build new ones, pay attention to the ones that you have,” he said.

NAN