TETFund, a lifeline for Nigerian varsities – Egbewole
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has described the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as a major lifeline for the development and sustenance of university education in Nigeria.
Prof. Egbewole stated this last Monday (September 14, 2026) when the North-Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees (BOT), Dr Hassan Abdulrahman Ocholi, paid a familiarisation visit to the University.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, the Vice Chancellor expressed delight at the visit, noting that interactions with TETFund officials provided the University with opportunities to present firsthand information on its achievements, ongoing projects, challenges and areas requiring further intervention.
The Vice Chancellor assured the visiting team of the readiness of the University to provide relevant information that would enable TETFund to have a proper understanding of the developmental needs and priorities of the University.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, commended TETFund on its significant contributions to the survival and development of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Mr Alfanla noted that TETFund interventions had helped to prevent the nation’s university education system from severe decline, particularly through sustained support for infrastructure and academic development.
While applauding the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary of TETFund, the UNILORIN Registrar particularly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for approving various interventions for Federal Universities across the country.
The Registrar observed that the interventions had positively affected both academic and non-teaching staff while also helping to address some longstanding challenges in the University system.
He further commended the President for giving attention to critical areas of Nigerian university education, noting that the University of Ilorin was among the beneficiaries of the interventions through various infrastructure and academic development projects.
Earlier, Dr Ocholi explained that his visit was part of efforts to familiarise himself with tertiary educational institutions under his immediate watch, following his appointment into the TETFund Board several months ago.
He said the visit was aimed at interacting with the University Management to identify areas of need and challenges, as well as inspecting ongoing and completed projects sponsored by TETFund.
Dr Ocholi added that the exercise was also designed to enable the Federal Government to obtain a clearer picture of the level of development in tertiary institutions and assess the impact of its various interventions.
Joining the Vice Chancellor to receive the team were the Bursar, who was represented by a Deputy Bursar, Mr M. K. B. Yusuf; the University Librarian, represented by a Principal Librarian, Dr Titilola Aminat Bayero- Abdussalam; the Director of Physical Planning Unit, Mr Toyin AbdulRahaman Jimoh; and the Director of Works, Mr Rahman Amoo, who was represented by Mr Olanrewaju.
On the TETFund team were Mrs Kor Leficia Kpenbeen, the Zonal Coordinator TETFund North Central Zonal Office; Mr Andrew Adams, Mr Maxwell M.H, Mr Idiabe Abdulmumin, Mr Bello Amen Olaitan, Mr Ishowo Ishaq Oluwatosin and Mr Abdulhameed Abdulmalik.
