TETFund sets up committee to select varsities for mechanised agric scheme
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a five-member committee to select 10 Nigerian universities for the establishment of mechanised commercial farms and livestock operations under its 2025 intervention.
Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees (BoT), Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, made this known in Abuja during the inauguration ceremony, stating that the initiative aims to drive innovation, transparency, and national agricultural development.
Masari explained that the selection criteria stipulate that beneficiary universities must either be a University of Agriculture or possess a strong Faculty of Agriculture. In addition, they must have at least 50 hectares of unencumbered land and be operating a functional commercial farm with at least one agricultural value chain.
He revealed that many institutions have already submitted their Expressions of Interest, prompting the formation of the committee to ensure fairness and objectivity in the selection process.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in Nigeria’s socio-economic growth, Masari said the initiative will not only promote food security, but also support poverty reduction, job creation, and rural development. He stressed the need to adopt modern agricultural technologies such as automation, precision farming, and data analytics—tools that have transformed agriculture in developed countries.
He noted, “Agriculture has historically been Nigeria’s economic backbone and still contributes significantly to our GDP. By supporting innovation and education in agriculture, we are strengthening our economy and reducing reliance on food imports.”
Masari added that TETFund is already funding agricultural research and demonstration farms in six universities, while eight of its 27 Centres of Excellence are agriculturally focused.
The Evaluation Committee, chaired by Mr Ewara E. Bassey, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, includes representatives from the Federal Ministries of Education and Livestock Development, the National Universities Commission, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and TETFund’s Research and Development/Centres of Excellence Department, which also provides the secretary.
The committee’s terms of reference include assessing applications, developing evaluation templates, scoring institutional readiness, and recommending qualified universities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Masari urged the committee to work diligently and submit its report within two weeks.
“The constitution and composition of this committee reflect the seriousness we attach to this project. We trust in your professionalism and expect a transparent and impactful outcome,” he said.
In his response, Committee Chairman Bassey expressed gratitude to TETFund for the opportunity to serve, describing the assignment as a call to national duty. He assured that the committee would deliver on its mandate and provide recommendations that will ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
Masari concluded by expressing confidence in the committee’s capacity to support Nigeria’s agricultural transformation through this targeted intervention.