The federal government has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees and the governing councils of some federal tertiary institutions to leverage their expertise to drive significant improvements in quality and performance across educational establishments.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, made the call while inaugurating the TETFund Board of Trustees and the governing councils of some federal tertiary institutions in Abuja.
Mamman urged them to use their networks to attract resources and support for the institutions, emphasising that the government had high expectations from them in addressing the challenges facing tertiary education.
He said, “Your appointment is a clear recognition of your track records, established integrity and experience. These appointments reflect the diversity of our nation, professions, expertise and experience in various areas.” While urging them to reciprocate the trust and confidence the government placed on them by using their knowledge, skills and experience to elevate the tertiary institutions to greater heights, the minister highlighted some challenges that institutions faced, including low carrying capacity in universities and Colleges of Education and the instability of academic calendars due to strikes over the years.
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He said that one of the major responsibilities of councils worldwide was to attract resources from friends, businesses and development agencies to improve institutions, and that by working together and following due process, the board and councils would be able to act effectively and avoid problems.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, said he had no doubt that they would work diligently to justify the confidence placed on them by Mr President.
He said, “The education sector is critical to our national affairs. It is the foundation for all our development efforts, and Nigeria, with its rapidly growing youthful population, needs to prepare our young people to seize opportunities both domestically and internationally while helping to address our national challenges.”
Earlier, ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, called for the judicious use of TETFund funds to foster development, saying the only thing sustaining tertiary education in Nigeria was TETFund, and that the country’s educational system was in a serious state and required transformation.
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