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Varsities To Get N2.8bn, Polys N1.9bn As TETFund Announces 2025 Intervention

Published

6 months ago

March 13, 2025

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund on Thursday announced the disbursement of the 2025 intervention cycle to public tertiary institutions in the country.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sonny Echono, each university will get the sum of N2.8bn; polytechnics to get N1.9bn and Colleges of Education to get N2.1bn.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, disclosed this at a strategic workshop with heads of beneficiary institutions on the 2025 disbursement guidelines in Abuja on Thursday.

Echono said: “Under this current disbursement cycle, each university will get N2,560,562,352.66 under normal allocation, with an additional N300,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, making N2,860,562,352.66 for each university.

“Each polytechnic will get N1,794,335,731.71 for normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N1,994,335,731.71.

“Each College of Education will receive N1,978,428,260.79 for normal allocation, with N200,000,000.00 for zonal allocation, amounting to N2,178,428,260.79.”

He urged all heads of beneficiary institutions to ensure the full utilization of their 2024 and previous allocations while fast-tracking the procurement process to access their 2025 allocations.

The Executive Secretary said that, in line with the Federal Government’s directives, all Physical Infrastructure Development allocations for 2025 would be directed toward the upgrading, rehabilitation, and renovation of dilapidated infrastructure in beneficiary institutions.

“This was communicated to you earlier to enable you to consult widely and prepare your projects ahead of time. You were also advised to employ the services of your consultancy units and/or physical planning units in the preparation of projects. Under the current disbursement cycle, the Fund has significantly increased the allocation for research and innovation, academic staff training and development, as well as manuscript and book development.

“It has also significantly increased the number of beneficiary institutions for its special and designated projects.”

He said the 2025 disbursement allocation is structured as follows: “The total direct disbursement of 91.08% is made up of 48.90% as annual direct disbursement and 42.18% as special direct disbursement. Designated projects account for 8.72%, while stabilization funds are 0.20%. In this regard, each category of beneficiary institution has been allocated the annual direct disbursement as follows.

“Under the special direct disbursement category, key initiatives include increased funding and expanded participation in the Special High Impact Programme completion of the National Library building in Abuja, establishment of mechanized farms in some universities, and accelerated provision of student hostels through Public-Private Partnerships and direct construction in fulfillment of the President’s promise to Nigerian students and in furtherance of plans for our institutions.

“Other key focus areas in the 2025 disbursement guidelines include expanding infrastructure to enhance student intake for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists in our universities and colleges of medicine, adoption of medical simulation and technology to improve curriculum delivery and patient care, provision of alternative power to selected beneficiary institutions to mitigate current difficulties in coping with energy costs.

“Other priorities include addressing campus security, enabling disaster recovery, and completing previously distressed projects. Research and innovation support will continue with provision for the National Research Fund, institutionalization of R&D, expanding partnerships, Research Meets Industry (Triple Helix initiative), and commercialization of research outcomes.”

According to him, TETFund is also making significant investments in laboratory and agricultural development. “Additional funding has been allocated for the recently approved central multipurpose research laboratories in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, along with the establishment of two new ones.

“Three new agricultural laboratories/demonstration farms will be set up, with additional support for the existing ones. Under designated projects, we will provide funding for the upgrading of engineering workshops and laboratories in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

“There will also be increased funding for the National Skills Development/TVET program in our polytechnics. Some of the new intervention lines introduced include: Diaspora Outreach/Exchange Program, Staff Support Fund for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, provision of electric tricycles for campus transportation, and Student Startup/Innovation Grants.”

He further said the Fund is establishing 12 new Entrepreneurship for Innovation Hubs in polytechnics and colleges of education, noting that its TERAS platform aims to digitise and modernize learning institutions, aligning with global standards. “We have consistently encouraged beneficiaries to make the best use of the platform as we sustain our collaborations and subscriptions to these learning management systems.

“As part of our commitment to reducing reliance on government funding, institutions are requested to foster partnerships with the private sector for infrastructure development and facility management, starting with student hostels.”

Related Topics:Polytechnic TETFund University

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PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

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Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

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NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.