The Federal Government has directed all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to submit reconciled reports of all unutilized intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) within 30 days. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, issued the directive during a meeting with heads of institutions in Abuja on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
The order is aimed at addressing the issue of idle funds that could be used for developing infrastructure and other priority projects. Alausa stated that unused funds may be redirected to other projects, and carrying them over without strong justification will no longer be allowed. The government will jointly verify the reports submitted by the institutions.
This directive is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the use of TETFund resources. The Minister announced that the government will introduce capacity-building programs and mentorship initiatives to improve project management and compliance. Quarterly reviews will be conducted to track progress and compliance, with sanctions for institutions that fail to utilize funds effectively.
The move comes as no surprise, as TETFund has repeatedly raised concerns about the significant amount of unutilized funds held by higher institutions. Previous reports have indicated that over ₦600 billion in unaccessed TETFund allocations is trapped in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In July 2025, TETFund had already threatened to delist institutions that fail to access and utilize their allocations, warning that the funds would be diverted to other institutions.
In 2025, TETFund allocated ₦1.6 trillion to Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a focus on campus security, direct intervention, and healthcare.
