In a major move aimed at tightening financial accountability within Nigeria’s higher education sector, the Federal Government has directed all tertiary institutions across the country to provide a full account of their unused TETFund allocations within 30 days. The directive, which came through the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu Alausa, underscores the government’s renewed commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and prudent management of education intervention funds.
This decision is generating wide discussions across the academic community, as it seeks to end the trend of unutilised or mismanaged TETFund cash sitting idle in the coffers of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Background: Why the Directive Was Issued
Over the years, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has served as one of Nigeria’s key mechanisms for supporting infrastructural growth, research development, staff training, and academic advancement in public tertiary institutions. Despite billions of naira being disbursed annually, reports have indicated that several institutions often fail to utilise their allocations fully, sometimes citing bureaucratic delays, procurement bottlenecks, or poor project management.
The latest directive from the federal government seeks to address this lingering problem by enforcing strict timelines, stronger oversight, and mandatory reconciliations of all unspent funds.
According to the Education Minister, institutions that fail to submit their financial reports within the stipulated timeframe will face sanctions, while unused funds may be recalled and redirected to priority projects that have immediate impact on Nigeria’s educational development.
Details of the New Instruction
Speaking during a high-level meeting with Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, Bursars, and Procurement Officers of public tertiary institutions, Dr. Alausa made it clear that the era of unaccounted and underutilised intervention funds is over.
He stated that every institution must, within 30 days, submit a comprehensive and reconciled report of all TETFund monies disbursed to them that have not yet been utilised. These reports will be jointly verified at the end of the exercise to ensure accuracy and transparency.
The minister added that carrying over unutilised funds from year to year without strong justification will no longer be tolerated, stressing that government expects every kobo allocated to produce tangible results in infrastructure, research, or manpower development.
Accountability Measures to Be Enforced
To strengthen the new directive, the Ministry of Education announced several accountability measures that will be implemented immediately. These include:
- Joint verification of reports from institutions and TETFund officials to ensure all reconciliations are accurate.
- Quarterly performance reviews to monitor the progress of projects funded by TETFund allocations.
- Capacity-building workshops for bursars, accountants, and project managers to enhance compliance with government financial regulations.
- Introduction of a public transparency dashboard, where Nigerians can track how TETFund money is being spent by each institution.
- Sanctions for defaulting schools, including suspension of new allocations for those that fail to properly account for past funds.
The minister emphasized that these steps are necessary to restore public confidence in the management of education intervention funds, which have too often been clouded by poor implementation and weak oversight.
Reactions from the Academic Community
The directive has sparked a range of reactions from university administrators, lecturers, and education stakeholders across the country. While many have welcomed it as a long-overdue step toward transparency, others express concern about the short 30-day deadline and the capacity of some institutions to reconcile complex financial data within such a brief period.
A university bursar who spoke anonymously noted that although accountability is essential, some institutions face bureaucratic procurement challenges that delay project execution despite having funds available. He urged the government to also streamline approval processes to enable faster fund utilisation.
However, academic unions such as ASUU have reportedly applauded the emphasis on accountability, insisting that transparency in TETFund utilisation is crucial for the credibility and sustainability of higher education in Nigeria.
Why TETFund Accountability Matters
TETFund remains one of the most critical lifelines for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. Through it, numerous universities and polytechnics have benefited from renovated lecture halls, research grants, laboratory equipment, and academic staff development programmes. However, cases of mismanagement, delays, and incomplete projects have plagued the scheme.
By compelling institutions to account for unused funds, the federal government aims to ensure that:
- Funds are used strictly for their intended purpose;
- There is value for every disbursed naira;
- The impact of TETFund is felt more visibly across campuses;
- And Nigeria’s education sector begins to operate with global standards of financial responsibility.
This renewed focus on accountability could also encourage international donors and development partners to invest more confidently in Nigeria’s education system.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the positive intentions, several challenges may hinder immediate compliance. Many tertiary institutions are dealing with incomplete projects, delayed procurement approvals, and internal auditing backlogs. For some, reconciling years of financial records may require time, technical support, and additional manpower.
There is also concern that hasty reporting to meet deadlines might lead to errors or incomplete submissions. Experts have suggested that the Ministry of Education provide technical guidance and possibly extend the deadline for institutions genuinely struggling with reconciliation.
Looking Forward: The Road to Transparent Fund Management
The success of this accountability drive will depend on consistent follow-up, transparent verification, and strict enforcement of consequences for defaulting institutions. Education analysts believe that if properly implemented, this policy could set a new benchmark for financial discipline in Nigeria’s education system.
Furthermore, introducing digital dashboards and real-time reporting systems could revolutionize how Nigerians track government funding, ensuring that tertiary institutions remain accountable not just to the Ministry of Education but also to the public.
Conclusion
The Federal Government’s directive for tertiary institutions to account for unused TETFund cash marks a new phase in Nigeria’s educational financial management. It is a bold statement that every fund must serve its intended purpose — advancing teaching, research, and infrastructure — not lying dormant or misused.
If successfully implemented, this initiative could transform the culture of accountability in Nigerian universities and restore trust in government education interventions. But its success will largely depend on the sincerity, cooperation, and transparency of the institutions themselves.
The coming weeks will reveal how well Nigerian tertiary institutions can respond to this challenge — and whether this will mark the beginning of a more transparent and efficient era in educational funding.
