The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has appointed Osagie Ize-Iyamu as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of its newly-established Trust Development Fund (TDF).

The move, the Fund said, marked a landmark step toward institutional sustainability, strategic funding, and alumni-driven development.

Chairman of the Board, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, described the TDF as a generational and moral mandate, saying: “This Board is more than a governing body. It is a covenant with our future. Every naira and resource mobilised will be accountable, visible, and impactful. Our alumni, partners, and Corporate Nigeria are invited to join us in building a reservoir of human capital that will endure for generations yet unborn.”

Ize-Iyamu emphasised that the Fund complements President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aligns with state and federal reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education sector.

He also called on UNIBEN’s 350,000-strong global alumni network to make structured contributions toward scholarships, research, infrastructure, and student mentorship programmes

Vice-Chancellor Edoba Omoregie noted that the TDF represents a historic shift in university funding.
He explained that, unlike the Endowment Fund, which handles routine operational costs, the TDF will focus on capital projects, faculty development, research sponsorship, scholarships, student welfare, and mentorship programmes.

Pro-Chancellor Shuaib Umaru highlighted the importance of alumni engagement in the university’s development:
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, lauded the initiative, noting that strategic partnerships like the TDF complement government support and empower universities to reach global standards.

The inauguration of the TDF Board, the Fund added signals a historic pivot in Nigerian higher education funding, underscoring UNIBEN’s commitment to financial independence, global competitiveness, and sustainable institutional growth.