In a spirited appeal that has reignited a long-standing national conversation, the Vice-Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, Prof. Cele Njoku, has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to broaden its intervention scope to include private universities — a move advocates say would strengthen the entire Nigerian higher education landscape.
This renewed appeal has brought into focus deep realities about funding equity, educational quality, the sustainability of private institutions, and the future of Nigerian tertiary education overall.
Private Universities and TETFund: What’s at Stake?
TETFund was established as a pivotal funding agency designed to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate tertiary education in Nigeria through strategic interventions in infrastructure, research support, and academic development — currently targeted at federal and state-owned universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
However, private universities remain excluded from this support structure — despite growing calls from educational stakeholders that the exclusion is unfair, discriminatory, and counterproductive to national development.
VC’s Appeal to TETFund: Key Highlights
Speaking ahead of the university’s 10th convocation ceremony, Prof. Njoku emphasized that the current exclusion of private institutions from TETFund interventions limits their capacity to expand critical infrastructure and deliver cutting-edge academic programmes.
A Call for Inclusive Policy Reform
The VC described the existing exclusion as “discriminatory” and urged that it be formally addressed in policy so that private institutions, like Gregory University, can benefit from the same interventions that public and state institutions receive.
Strengthening Academic Offerings
Gregory University has embraced innovative academic offerings — adopting new programmes recommended by the National Universities Commission (NUC), including Artificial Intelligence, International & Security Studies, and Cooperative Economics & Management — showcasing private institutions’ commitment to modern, globally relevant education.
Infrastructure Challenges Demand Support
The VC also highlighted ongoing challenges such as inconsistent electricity supply, poor access roads, and limited infrastructural capacity — challenges that better support from government intervention funds could help mitigate.
Wider Calls for Inclusion: A Growing Movement
Prof. Njoku’s appeal aligns with similar calls across the Nigerian private education sector:
- Leaders of other private universities have urged the federal government to review TETFund eligibility rules so private universities can access similar funding and research grants.
- Advocates argue that students at private institutions are Nigerian citizens who contribute to the national economy and deserve equitable access to educational support mechanisms.
- Some have even proposed that private students should benefit from national schemes like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) in addition to TETFund access, to broaden financial support across the sector.
These persistent calls reflect a belief that private universities have become integral to expanding access to tertiary education in Nigeria — particularly amid growing demand that public institutions alone struggle to meet.
