FG Orders Tertiary Institutions To Return Unused TETFund Allocations Within 30 Days
The Federal Government has directed all tertiary institutions across the country to submit detailed reports of unutilised intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) within the next 30 days, warning that unspent allocations may be recalled and redirected to other priority projects.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with heads of tertiary institutions, where he expressed concern over the growing trend of idle allocations meant for infrastructure and academic development.
Alausa said the government could no longer tolerate delays and bottlenecks that prevent critical education funds from being effectively utilised, stressing that every TETFund naira represents public trust.
“Institutions must submit reconciled reports of all unutilised funds within 30 days, which will be jointly verified. Unused funds may be redirected to priority projects, and carrying them over without strong justification will no longer be allowed,” he stated.
The minister also announced plans to introduce capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening project management, compliance, and reporting among institutions.
According to him, quarterly reviews will now be held to assess progress, while sanctions will be imposed on any institution that fails to use its allocations responsibly.
To promote transparency, Alausa said the government will launch a public dashboard showing disbursement and utilisation data, while institutions will be mandated to publish periodic project progress reports.
He emphasised that the success of the initiative depends on the active collaboration of all stakeholders, including TETFund officials, institutional heads, bursars, procurement officers, and auditors.
“TETFund must lead with professionalism, enforce compliance, and ensure transparency. Institutional leaders should drive urgency and accountability, while oversight bodies must flag irregularities promptly,” Alausa said.
This directive comes amid renewed concerns over billions of naira in TETFund allocations left unutilised by many tertiary institutions. In July 2025, the Fund had warned that it might delist institutions that consistently fail to access or apply their approved funds, adding that such allocations could be reassigned to more compliant schools.
TETFund had earlier allocated N1.6 trillion to Nigerian tertiary institutions in 2025, focusing on campus security, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
