TETFund Earmarks ₦70 Billion for Mini-Grid Power Projects in 18 Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved a ₦70 billion allocation for the development of mini-grid power projects in 18 selected tertiary institutions across Nigeria under its 2025 intervention cycle.

This was announced in Uyo by Aboh Uduyok, a member of the TETFund Board of Trustees (South-South Zone), during the 2025 stakeholders’ town hall meeting for beneficiary institutions in the region. Uduyok explained that the initiative is aimed at tackling the persistent high cost of electricity and power outages that continue to disrupt academic activities in many universities and polytechnics.

According to Uduyok, the mini-grid project will provide stable, renewable, and cost-effective electricity, lowering operational costs and creating a more conducive environment for research and learning. “This bold step will ensure reliable power supply to campuses while promoting sustainability,” he said.

Several institutions in the South-South region have also been selected for TETFund’s high-impact projects and disaster recovery interventions. Beneficiaries include the Federal University of Science and Technology, Ikot Abasi, Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Admiralty University, Ibusa, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, and the University of Cross River State, among others.

Uduyok further highlighted TETFund’s contributions to infrastructure development, academic training, research, and teaching support. He called on stakeholders to partner with the agency to ensure transparent execution and proper maintenance of funded projects.

During the event, education consultant Ntia Thompson, CEO of Carsem Consult Limited, commended TETFund’s interventions but urged the agency to adopt a needs-based allocation formula and create a South-South Innovation Window to promote practical research and commercialize academic findings. Thompson recommended mobilizing alumni, industry leaders, and the Nigerian diaspora to co-invest in research-driven projects.

Stakeholders also appealed for an increase in the education tax, noting that the current 3% rate remains inadequate to meet Nigeria’s growing education demands. They questioned the creation of a special monitoring desk for the Ministry of Education within TETFund, describing it as unnecessary oversight.

Additionally, Dr. Moses Umoessien, Rector of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, urged TETFund to authorize at least one university in each state to run Master’s and PhD programs for polytechnic lecturers. This, he said, would help academic staff meet the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) requirement for advanced degrees without leaving their teaching responsibilities.

The ₦70 billion mini-grid power project is expected to drastically cut energy costs for Nigerian campuses, providing a long-term solution to electricity shortages while driving innovation and research across the country’s tertiary institutions.