TETFund Launches TERAS, a New E-Learning Model for Tertiary Schools
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has launched an e-learning initiative in tertiary institutions called the TETFund Education Resource and Administration System (TERAS). This initiative aims to provide universities with tools that improve administrative efficiency, boost accountability, and effectively track projects.
During the Lagos edition of the 2025 National Town Hall Meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel, the Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, made this announcement.
He mentioned that the initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary institutions for a more technology-focused and knowledgeable future.
Masari explained that TETFund is dedicated to modernizing administrative functions, improving educational experiences, and encouraging innovation in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
He believes that the future of education depends on digital progress. He remarked that “these investments foster transparency, improve operational effectiveness, and broaden digital literacy on campuses. This is essential for preparing students for the modern knowledge economy.”
While discussing TETFund’s mission, he stressed that the organization focuses on more than just significant infrastructure projects. Their efforts involve improving academic standards, research capabilities, and institutional strength.
“TETFund isn’t just about building physical structures. Its mission is to create globally competitive institutions driven by innovation, knowledge, and human resources,” he stated.
Masari highlighted progress in faculty development, noting that thousands of educators have benefited from TETFund-supported Master’s and PhD programs both in Nigeria and abroad. They also provide support for conferences, manuscript preparation, teaching practice, and professional certification.
Regarding research and innovation, he pointed out key initiatives backed by the Fund, such as the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research, TETFAIR. This initiative has produced over 200 prototypes that are now moving toward commercialization.
He noted that in a major effort to address ongoing energy shortages in tertiary institutions, N70 billion has been allocated in the 2025 budget to introduce sustainable mini-grid systems at selected campuses.
Additionally, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Arc Sonny Echono, emphasized that knowledge and skills are currently more important for competitiveness than natural resources.
Echono called for more investment in education to fully utilize this potential.
Anthony Kila, a Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development at the Commonwealth Institute for Advanced and Professional Studies, suggested that TETFund should shift away from focusing mainly on infrastructure. It should become a key supporter of knowledge, innovation, and national competitiveness.
In his talk on “Tertiary Education in Nigeria and the Relevance of TETFund,” Kila acknowledged that while Nigeria’s higher education system is not failing, it has faced “heat, cracks, and shocks.” These challenges present an opportunity for renewal and reform.
He identified four ongoing issues: chronic underfunding, low research productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and a disconnect between education and national development. These issues hinder the sector’s progress.
Kila recognized TETFund’s vital role in building lecture halls, equipping laboratories, providing research support, and training lecturers, stating that many campuses owe their most advanced facilities to the Fund. However, he warned that past successes do not guarantee future relevance.
He argued that the higher education system of the future must cultivate problem solvers, innovators, globally competent professionals, rigorous researchers, and informed citizens who can engage meaningfully.
To achieve this, he believes TETFund needs to broaden its mission to actively promote research commercialization, lead national research efforts, hold funded projects accountable, enhance collaboration with the private sector, and reconsider its exclusion of private universities.
Addressing public value and visibility, Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise TV urged TETFund to adopt a more transparent, strategic, and responsive approach to maximize the effectiveness of its programs.
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