Gambia set to undertake study tour of TETFund, seeks stronger collaboration
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Government of The Gambia has announced plans to undertake a study tour of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as part of efforts to strengthen its newly established Tertiary and Higher Education Trust (THET) Fund.
The disclosure was made on Monday in Abuja when Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, led a high-powered delegation to meet the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, at the Fund’s headquarters.
The meeting was disclosed in a release signed by TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, for the Executive Secretary.
Gomez said the visit was to formally inform TETFund of the establishment of THET Fund, which was modelled after Nigeria’s intervention agency, and seek TETFund’s support and cooperation ahead of a study tour by officials of the Gambian agency.
He said Gambian authorities have closely followed TETFund’s activities and achievements through its website, social media platforms and other media channels, leading to the decision to establish a similar institution to support tertiary education development in the country.
The Minister stressed the importance of collaboration between TETFund and THETFund, particularly in research, institutional development and capacity building. He noted that such cooperation would not only strengthen both agencies but also deepen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and The Gambia as West African neighbours.
Responding, Echono welcomed the Gambian delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit, while providing an overview of TETFund’s evolution from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to its present status.
He explained that TETFund was established in response to the funding challenges confronting Nigeria’s tertiary education sector more than three decades ago, with the objective of providing an alternative and sustainable source of funding for public tertiary institutions.
Echono further disclosed that prior to the introduction of the new development levy under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in 2026, TETFund was primarily funded through a three per cent education tax on the assessable profits of companies operating in Nigeria.
He said TETFund interventions focus on critical areas including physical infrastructure, instructional materials and equipment, research and publication, academic staff training and development, as well as other initiatives necessary to improve standards in tertiary institutions.
Other members of the Gambian delegation were Ms. Isatou Auber, Permanent Secretary, MoHERST; Dr. Samba Sowe, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Technical), MoHERST; and Ms. Ndey Anta Taal, Project Coordinator, CPCU, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.