TETFund To Address Electricity Crisis In Universities.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has pledged to tackle the ongoing energy crisis in Nigerian universities, following an increase in electricity tariffs. This commitment aims to enhance research capabilities and improve the global ranking of the country’s higher institutions.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, emphasised the importance of energy stability in universities, stating that the agency is committed to ensuring that research centres are of top quality and self-sufficient. He further assured that research samples would no longer need to be sent abroad, as institutions would be equipped to handle advanced studies within the country.
Echono also addressed concerns regarding the increasing number of tertiary institutions established by the government. He defended the expansion, highlighting that over two million candidates apply for admission annually, while only 600,000 secure places due to limited capacity. He stressed the necessity of additional institutions to accommodate the growing demand for higher education.
Meanwhile, Echono called for full autonomy in Nigerian universities, stating that financial, administrative, and academic independence is crucial for operational efficiency and improved education quality. Delivering the ninth convocation lecture at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), he argued that autonomy would empower universities to introduce innovative ideas, strengthen global collaborations, and attract funding from industries, alumni, and research institutions.
“Autonomy enables universities to enhance their infrastructure, foster partnerships, and participate in global collaborations that boost competitiveness,” he said. He also advocated for universities to have the right to determine their fees and explore commercial opportunities to ensure financial sustainability.
Echono urged stakeholders to push for the adoption of these autonomy principles beyond federal universities, noting that the current legislation applies only to federally owned institutions. He called on state governments to incorporate similar provisions to create a more uniform and efficient higher education system across the country.