The executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has declared that Nigeria is fast becoming a global hub for skilled labour.
Echono stated this at the sidelines of the annual Vanguard Newspaper Personality of the Year Awards, where he was honoured with the prestigious Education Icon Award for 2024.
In his remarks, he praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating transformative policies that are reshaping Nigeria’s education sector.
He emphasised that despite persistent challenges, the country’s educational system continues to produce individuals capable of competing on a global stage.
“Despite the odds, our graduates are far from being pushovers. They are thriving across the globe. Many of our young people are now working remotely for multinational companies from within Nigeria.
“This reflects the increasing demand for Nigerian talent and positions the country as an emerging skilled labour hub.”
He linked this development to the demographic shift occurring globally. While many developed countries face stagnant or declining populations and an aging workforce, Nigeria benefits from a growing youthful population.
“There is now a rising global demand for youthful, skilled workers, and Nigeria is well-positioned to fill that gap. That is why investment in education is more crucial than ever.”
Echono acknowledged the support received from the federal government. “I commend the Tinubu administration for the bold steps taken to improve education. At TETFund, we are doing our part by investing heavily in infrastructure, research, and capacity development across the country’s tertiary institutions,” he noted.
He revealed that the Fund has so far supported over 40,000 scholars for postgraduate studies, both locally and internationally. In order to prevent a mismatch between the quality of education abroad and what is obtainable in Nigeria, TETFund has been investing significantly in upgrading facilities on local campuses.
“We are modernising our institutions to match global standards,” he explained. “Our aim is to bridge the infrastructure gap and ensure students and researchers in Nigeria have access to the same quality of equipment and facilities as their counterparts abroad.”
Echono further stated that TETFund is working diligently to ensure that all projects are completed promptly to avoid cost overruns due to inflation. He stressed that monitoring has been intensified to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in project execution.
“The impact of TETFund is visible across tertiary institutions nationwide,” he added. “We are ensuring that all funded projects are delivered in good time and within budget. Monitoring mechanisms have been strengthened, and compliance is taken seriously.”
Responding to concerns about the increasing number of public tertiary institutions and whether the Fund may be overstretched, Echono explained that while the number of beneficiary institutions has grown, so too has the funding pool, largely due to increased education tax collections.
“Yes, more institutions are coming on board, but we have also seen a rise in the resources available to us,” he said. “Most importantly, we are managing these resources prudently and strategically, to maximize impact and ensure sustainability.”
Dedicating the Education Icon Award to President Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and the staff and management of TETFund, Echono said the honour would serve as a motivation for even greater commitment. “To whom much is given, much is expected. This award will inspire us to redouble our efforts in transforming the education sector.”
He also appealed to the leadership of beneficiary institutions to work closely with the Fund in the execution of legacy projects that would transform the face of tertiary education in Nigeria.
In its citation, the Newspaper described Echono as a transformative leader who has significantly advanced TETFund’s mandate since assuming office in 2022. According to the publication, Echono brought a new wave of efficiency and innovation to the organization, leveraging his vast experience in the civil service to drive meaningful change.
“Under his leadership, TETFund has achieved numerous milestones in the areas of physical infrastructure, research and development, academic staff training, and library development,” the citation read.
The newspaper noted that since his appointment, TETFund has funded over 5,500 physical infrastructure projects, supported the fabrication of 188 specialized equipment units, and facilitated the establishment of 576 faculty and departmental libraries in various institutions across the country.
Additionally, the organization has completed 13 Senate buildings and 19 modern libraries in public tertiary institutions. A total of 74 major projects have also been commissioned, with several inaugurated by high-ranking government officials, including the President.
Among the notable interventions is the provision of advanced laboratory equipment for Urology, Endourology, and Cancer Centres in six university teaching hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country—a move aimed at curbing medical tourism and reducing capital flight.
Echono’s administration has also made significant investments in research and development. In 2022, TETFund sponsored 270 research projects worth over N5.7 billion, and in 2023, another 185 projects received over N5.1 billion in funding. The organization has also expanded its Centres of Excellence from 24 to 27, promoting specialized research in priority areas.
Furthermore, academic staff development has remained a top priority. The Fund has sponsored 23,271 academic staff for PhD programmes, with 4,598 of them attending foreign universities. Another 15,977 academic staff members have benefitted from TETFund’s Master’s degree sponsorship scheme.
To further enhance institutional performance, TETFund has also developed and deployed the Tertiary Education Research, Applications, and Services (TERAS) Platform—a digital tool designed to streamline operations, promote data-driven decision-making, and improve transparency in fund allocation and usage.
Echono’s outstanding contributions to education have earned him accolades both at home and abroad. He is a recipient of numerous national and international honours, including Nigeria’s prestigious Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The award, which adds to his growing list of recognitions, is a testament to the transformative impact of his leadership at TETFund. A formal award ceremony will be held at a later date, where Echono will be officially decorated with the Education Icon Award.
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