TETFund Deadline Alert: FG Orders Tertiary Institutions to Account for Unused Funds

The Federal Ministry of Education has directed all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to submit comprehensive reports on unutilized funds received from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) within 30 days. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that institutions failing to provide a strong justification for carrying over unused allocations risk having such funds redirected to priority projects.

Key Highlights:

• Unused Funds: Institutions with unutilized TETFund allocations must submit detailed reports within 30 days to avoid sanctions.
• Fund Redirection: Unused funds may be reallocated to institutions that demonstrate better responsiveness and adherence to guidelines.
• Capacity Building: The Ministry plans to introduce capacity-building initiatives to strengthen project management, compliance, and reporting systems across tertiary institutions.
• Public Transparency Dashboard: A new public dashboard will track TETFund disbursements and utilization in real-time, promoting transparency and accountability.

Implications:

• Institutional Accountability: Heads of institutions will be held accountable for ensuring effective utilization of TETFund resources.
• Project Implementation: Institutions are urged to fast-track procurement processes and project implementation to avoid delays and potential fund redirection.
• Education Sector Development: Efficient deployment of TETFund resources is crucial for Nigeria’s education development and broader economic ecosystem.