TETFund unveils 2026 disbursement guidelines, focuses on research, ICT, infrastructure
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled its 2026 Disbursement Guidelines, allocating over 90 per cent of available funds directly to beneficiary tertiary institutions across the country, with a strong emphasis on research, innovation, ICT development and critical infrastructure.
Speaking at a strategic workshop with Heads of Institutions at the TETFund Auditorium in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, said the 2026 intervention cycle was designed to deepen impact, improve performance and strengthen partnerships between the Fund and beneficiary institutions.
Echono disclosed that total direct disbursement for 2026 stands at 90.75 per cent, comprising 50 per cent Annual Direct Disbursement and 40.75 per cent Special Direct Disbursement, while 9.07 per cent is allocated to designated projects and 0.18 per cent to stabilisation funds.
Under the Annual Direct Disbursement, 271 institutions will benefit, with universities receiving N2.53 billion each, polytechnics N1.87 billion, and colleges of education N2.06 billion.
“These funds are meant to strengthen physical infrastructure, enhance academic programmes, boost research and innovation, and drive the overall transformation of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” Echono said.
A major highlight of the 2026 cycle is the introduction of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) as a new intervention line to expand access to global academic resources and integrate the TERAS digital platform into research and learning activities.
The Fund will also expand special interventions to include Centres for Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Studies, while 12 additional institutions will benefit from the commercial farm project. Ongoing initiatives such as medical school rehabilitation, hostel development through Public–Private Partnerships, campus security upgrades, research commercialisation and ICT Experience Centres will be sustained.
Echono commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the guidelines and reaffirmed TETFund’s alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, including support for skills development, research-driven growth and educational reform. He, however, expressed concern over delays in project processing and low utilisation of the TERAS platform by some institutions, urging heads of institutions to improve compliance and planning.
The Executive Secretary also thanked the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its role in education tax collection, assuring stakeholders of TETFund’s readiness to deliver impactful interventions in 2026.