The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Aminu Bello Masari, has announced the Fund's plan to establish a new intervention initiative aimed at tackling the critical issues of security and power supply within Nigerian tertiary educational institutions.

Masari made this announcement during a recent two-day retreat organized by the National Assembly, which focused on the “Challenges of Security and Power in Higher Institutions” in Lagos.

According to a statement from the Fund, the board chair emphasized the essential role of education in national development and the pressing need for enhanced funding in this sector.

“Security threats and insufficient power supply present serious challenges to the stability and effectiveness of our higher education institutions. These problems not only endanger the safety of students and staff but also adversely affect academic performance and the overall operation of these institutions,” he remarked.

Acknowledging the limitations of TETFund’s resources, the BOT Chairman stressed the necessity of directing support towards these urgent issues.

He urged the National Assembly to reconsider the funding framework for public institutions, which cater to over 90 percent of Nigeria’s tertiary education students.

“Education is fundamental to national advancement, and its funding must reflect this significance. It is crucial to initiate a national dialogue on sustainable financing models that can secure the future of higher education in Nigeria,” he asserted.

The retreat features several key lawmakers, including Senator Muntari Dandutse, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Hon Miriam Onuoha, the Chairman of the House Committee on TETFund, and Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State and a member of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.