FG urges TETFund, governing councils to drive education reforms

The Federal Government has tasked the new Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the governing councils of federal tertiary institutions to utilise their knowledge and capabilities to drive meaningful reforms and improvements in the education sector.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, stated this on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating the TETFund Board of Trustees and the governing councils of some federal tertiary institutions.

Prof. Mamman challenged the new appointees to leverage their professional networks to draw in essential resources and support for the institutions, underscoring the government’s reliance on them to help overcome the significant challenges confronting the tertiary education sector.

“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.

“I want to thank you for accepting this invitation to join in the task of advancing our tertiary institutions so they can fulfil their commitment to quality teaching, learning, research, and service to our communities and our nation.

“I urge you all to reciprocate the trust and confidence the government has placed in you by using your knowledge, skills, and experience to elevate the tertiary institutions to greater heights,” he said.

The minister also noted some challenges that institutions face, including low carrying capacity in tertiary institutions and the instability of academic calendars due to strikes over the years.

He encouraged management to view unions as partners, noting that the government is engaging in robust discussions with ASUU to avoid strikes in the system.

He said, “We have had some meetings already. Yes, we spent some time discussing the issues and developed a very robust plan to address them. We hope that what we put in place yesterday (Wednesday) will help us avoid any form of strike.”

According to him, one of the major responsibilities of councils worldwide is to attract resources from friends, businesses, and development agencies to improve institutions.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, congratulated the boards and governing councils for their nominations to serve in various capacities.

“I have no doubt that you will work diligently to justify the confidence placed in you by Mr. President. 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,” Echono said.

Earlier, the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, called for the judicious use of TETFund funds to foster development.

Osodeke stated that the only thing sustaining tertiary education in Nigeria is TETFund, adding that the country’s educational system is in a serious state and requires transformation.