Echono Vows to Deepen TETFund’s Impact on Higher Education

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has pledged to intensify efforts to improve Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

He said his recognition as The Sun Public Service Personality of the Year would spur him and his team to deliver greater results in higher education.

Echono spoke at the Sun Awards ceremony held at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, at the weekend.

He expressed gratitude to the management of The Sun Publishing Limited for the honour, describing it as a significant recognition of efforts to improve the quality of education in the country.

The TETFund boss said the award would strengthen his commitment to preparing Nigerian youths for future challenges and global competitiveness.

He said, “I am humbled, yet deeply grateful, that our modest efforts to contribute meaningfully to the preparation of the young and future generations of Nigeria, which, in our view, constitute perhaps the most critical resource we have as a country, are being noticed, acknowledged and rewarded with an award of this nature.”

He described The Sun Awards as an important national platform whose recognition attracts considerable attention and anticipation.

However, Echono attributed TETFund’s achievements to collective efforts, acknowledging the support of President Bola Tinubu and key officials in the education sector.

He specifically recognised the contributions of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad; and Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari.

He also commended members of the board, management, staff and other stakeholders for their contributions to the Fund’s development.

According to him, TETFund has continued to build on the foundations laid by previous administrations to improve teaching, learning and research across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

He noted that the Federal Government’s education reform agenda extends beyond the provision of physical infrastructure to preparing institutions to meet international standards.

The objective, he said, was to produce graduates who could compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

Citing his recent experience at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Echono said he was encouraged by visitors’ reactions to the institution’s facilities.

He explained that some visitors had expected to find poorly maintained facilities but expressed surprise at the quality of the infrastructure they encountered.

He particularly recalled their positive impression of the hall where the institution hosted an event.

The experience, according to him, reinforced the need for sustained investment in infrastructure and improved learning environments across tertiary institutions.

“Our goal is to restore our campuses to the standards that institutions of learning should maintain, while also preparing and equipping our graduates to compete globally,” he said.

Echono said TETFund remained committed to making Nigerian tertiary institutions centres of excellence in teaching, research and innovation.

He added that the Fund’s interventions would continue to support the development of institutions that Nigerians could confidently identify with as centres of quality education.

Echono attended the ceremony alongside Masari, who was represented by the TETFund Board of Trustees member representing the North-Central zone, Dr Hassan Abddulrahman Ocholi.

Other members of the delegation included the Director of Finance and Accounts, Dr Gloria Olotu; Director of Information and Communication Technology, Engr. Joseph Odo; and Director of Education Support Services, Baba Imam.

Also present were the Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi; Director of the Executive Secretary’s Office, Engr. Tunde Olakunri; South-West Zonal Coordinator, Engr. Taiwo Lukman; Head of SERVICOM, Dr Ebere Nwobu; and Head of Legal, Dr Abdul Khalil.

Friends, family members and associates also attended the ceremony.