TETFund Support: Prof. Agboola Warns Against Replacement
The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, has issued a passionate call for the continued existence and funding of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). He stressed that TETFund remains a critical intervention mechanism in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape and should not be scrapped or sidelined due to the emergence of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Prof. Agboola made this appeal during a meeting with the Chairman of the South-West Zone of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, who led a delegation on a familiarisation and project inspection tour at the university.
TETFund Support: A Cornerstone of University Development
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that TETFund has been indispensable in addressing the structural and academic challenges confronting public universities and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria. He described the intervention agency as a vital force that must be maintained if Nigeria hopes to achieve lasting progress in the education sector.
“I want to say that without TETFund, maybe many universities would not be in existence,” Prof. Agboola declared. “TETFund has played a crucial role in virtually all aspects of this University’s development. It also supports the academic staff in their pursuit of PhD qualifications.”
- TETFund 2025 Intervention Disbursement: Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges Receive Billions in Funding
- https://crediblenews.com.ng/tetfund-2025-intervention-disbursement-nigeri/
Highlighting his personal experience, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that his PhD programme at the University of Nottingham was funded by TETFund. He also noted that many of his colleagues benefited from the fund’s support for academic training and international conferences.
Infrastructure and Training: Evidence of TETFund’s Impact
According to Prof. Agboola, most of the physical infrastructure on the OOU campus and its satellite campuses were built through TETFund and Needs Assessment interventions, excluding a few sponsored by philanthropists and alumni.
He noted, “Virtually all the buildings we have come from TETFund support. Most of the teaching aids and facilities that students rely on are provided through these interventions.”
He cautioned the Federal Government against reducing TETFund’s allocation in favor of NELFUND. In his view, while student loans may ease access to education, they must not come at the expense of infrastructure, quality instruction, or institutional development.
Running TETFund and NELFUND Concurrently
Prof. Agboola argued strongly in favor of allowing both TETFund and NELFUND to operate concurrently. He believes that each agency serves a unique and complementary purpose in the education ecosystem.
He warned, “If you give more money to NELFUND for student loans and the student does not have anywhere to sit or learn, it would be another kettle of fish entirely.”
He disclosed that OOU receives over 35,000 applications annually, but can only admit about 7,000 students due to infrastructure limitations—a gap that TETFund interventions help to narrow.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed, “No nation develops beyond the quality of its universities. If we admit more students and fail to upgrade facilities, we will be heading for a serious crisis. TETFund and NELFUND should not replace each other—they should work together.”
Appeal to FG on Overseas Training for Scholars
During the visit, Prof. Agboola also appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its policy banning overseas training for Nigerian academics. He argued that international exposure is critical to developing world-class faculty and researchers, and urged that such programmes be allowed to continue under strict monitoring.
TETFund Board Commends OOU for Project Execution
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, the South-West Zonal Chairman of the TETFund Board, commended Olabisi Onabanjo University for its prudent use of intervention funds. He praised the university’s management for completing projects without delays or financial mismanagement.
“We have come, we have seen, and we are impressed,” Adepoju said. “TETFund has invested significantly in your university, and you are making effective use of the infrastructure. You are not defaulting in project execution, and that reflects the quality of your leadership.”
He also applauded the university for avoiding issues such as abandoned projects or unaccessed intervention funds, both of which have plagued other institutions.
“Some institutions delay payments to contractors, causing cost inflation. But that is not the case here. OOU is a good example of responsible fund management,” Adepoju added.
The Road Ahead: Strengthening Tertiary Education
As calls mount for Nigeria to expand access to tertiary education, experts like Prof. Agboola insist that infrastructure and staff capacity must not be sacrificed for funding student loans alone. According to him, sustaining the dual support of TETFund and NELFUND will offer the best chance for long-term success in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The visit by the TETFund Board, and the university’s record of accountability, strengthens the case for increased government and donor support for public universities.
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