Former Kastina State Governor, Aminu Masari
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has rolled out more than N30 billion this year alone to bolster security across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.
Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aminu Masari, disclosed the figures in Katsina on Tuesday, noting that the investment has already made a visible difference in the safety of students, lecturers and campus communities.
Masari, said the renewed push for campus security follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to ensure safer, more conducive learning environments in tertiary institutions nationwide.
“Just as we created a budget line for electricity, we also deemed it fit to establish a dedicated line for security,” he explained. “Students and academic staffers need a safe environment to carry out their activities.”
The TETFund chairman revealed that many institutions have requested support for new safety-enhancing projects, including perimeter fencing, solar-powered streetlights and other essential infrastructure designed to deter intruders and improve visibility at night.
Masari also commended President Tinubu for his backing of the Fund, highlighting the president’s approval of a 50 per cent Development Levy under the 2024 Nigerian Tax Bill.
“The development levy is set to take effect in January, and this will further boost the Fund’s capacity to deliver interventions,” he said.
He said the recent TETFund town hall meeting was convened to update stakeholders on ongoing projects and gather fresh feedback that could strengthen its operations. The forum brought together key players across the sector—lawmakers, ASUU representatives, vice chancellors, students, policy makers and others.
“We share ideas, receive suggestions, and work toward a more inclusive TETFund that makes policies which reflect the various interests within the tertiary education sub-sector,” Masari noted.
He added that the forum also provides space to tackle urgent challenges in higher education, with the long-term goal of positioning Nigerian institutions to compete more effectively on the global stage in research, manpower development and infrastructure.
