The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) have initiated moves to deepen collaboration aimed at improving educational development and strengthening public awareness of interventions in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by the union’s delegation to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sonny Echono, in Abuja.
Yahya commended TETFund for its role in revitalising tertiary institutions across the country, noting that the union had consistently monitored the agency’s activities and was satisfied with the execution of projects nationwide.
He explained that the visit was designed to reinforce institutional partnership and explore avenues through which both organisations could work together to advance national development through improved education outcomes and informed public engagement.
According to him, the NUJ is proposing a joint inspection tour of selected tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones to independently assess projects executed under TETFund interventions and showcase their impact to Nigerians.
The NUJ president stressed the need for increased federal funding for the agency, adding that timely release of funds remains essential for sustaining intervention programmes in higher institutions.
He said the proposed collaboration would also involve joint public sensitisation campaigns to improve awareness of ongoing projects and help Nigerians better appreciate investments in tertiary education.
Yahya further appealed for support for the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), an NUJ-owned training institution focused on strengthening professional standards and improving journalism practice in Nigeria.
He also proposed structured quarterly briefings between the union and TETFund to enable journalists provide feedback from field observations and contribute constructive input to the Fund’s operations.
Additionally, he sought TETFund’s support for the NUJ’s planned 2026 Media Summit in Abuja, expected to bring together academics, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss education funding and national security issues affecting the education sector.
Responding, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, emphasised that Nigeria’s tertiary education system requires sustained investment, public trust and stronger institutional support to address infrastructure and research gaps.
He explained that the Fund was established to halt declining academic standards and restore confidence in universities and other higher institutions, following widespread concerns over deteriorating educational quality.
Echono noted that although significant progress has been recorded through government support and intervention programmes, challenges remain in areas such as physical infrastructure, research facilities and the overall learning environment.
He said addressing these gaps required long-term commitment and consistent funding, adding that TETFund has executed numerous projects nationwide, including construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities to enhance academic delivery.
The Executive Secretary stressed the importance of effective communication of the Fund’s interventions to build public confidence and sustain national support for continued investment in tertiary education.
On collaboration with the media, he expressed readiness to expand engagement with the NUJ and pledged support for the International Institute of Journalism through staff sponsorship and broader visibility initiatives.
Echono also identified rising electricity costs as a major challenge facing tertiary institutions, noting that the Fund has had to intervene in essential infrastructure such as power supply systems, access roads and water provision to sustain institutional operations.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued federal support to the education sector, stated that sustained government backing has strengthened the Fund’s capacity to implement critical interventions and stabilise institutions facing structural challenges.
He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to supporting institutions in improving academic standards and sustaining progress in Nigeria’s tertiary education system through collaboration with key stakeholders, including the media.
