UNIJOS Vice-Chancellor Hails TETFUND as Lifeline of Nigerian Universities

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, has praised the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for its unwavering and transformative support to Nigerian universities, describing the agency as the lifeline of higher education in the country. 

Professor Ishaya added that without TETFUND’s numerous interventions, many Nigerian universities including the University of Jos would have deteriorated into what he termed “glorified secondary schools.”

He made the remark while receiving a delegation from the TETFUND Board of Trustees (BoT), Abuja, who visited the university on an oversight mission to inspect completed and ongoing TETFUND-sponsored projects and assess the institution’s infrastructural needs.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Rahila Gowon, Professor Ishaya expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for sustaining TETFUND and ensuring that its resources are directed to critical areas of university development. He noted that TETFUND’s interventions have significantly improved teaching, learning, and research at the University of Jos and across the Nigerian university system.

While commending the TETFUND Board for its commitment, the Vice-Chancellor appealed for more support, particularly in the areas of equipment, power supply, and other essential academic infrastructure which are critical to effective research and learning.

Professor Ishaya commended the delegation for undertaking the oversight exercise and expressed optimism that their findings would translate into more developmental projects for the university. He reaffirmed the university’s readiness to continue partnering with TETFUND in advancing higher education and building the skilled workforce needed for national development.

In her remarks, the Registrar of the University of Jos, Dr. Rejoice James Songden, lamented the shortage of manpower in the institution and called on the Federal Government to urgently address the challenge.

Similarly, the Acting Director, Directorate of Physical Facilities, Architect Pam Bot, applauded TETFUND for its various capital projects on campus but appealed for further support, particularly in providing solar power to tackle the university’s electricity challenges. He emphasized that solar installations, especially in students’ hostels and laboratories, would enhance security and support effective research and practical sessions.

Earlier, the leader of the visiting TETFUND delegation for the North Central Zone, Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi, explained that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the impact of ongoing and completed TETFUND projects at the university. He reiterated that the current administration places high priority on education and remains committed to strengthening the sector through targeted interventions.

We are here to assess the state of TETFUND projects in the University of Jos and understand the university’s priorities; our findings will guide future decisions to ensure TETFUND resources continue to deliver maximum impact. Adeyemi added.

Following an interactive session with the university management, the delegation and other principal officers of the University toured various project sites across the campus, inspecting both completed and ongoing TETFUND-funded initiatives.

The visit reinforced the longstanding partnership between the University of Jos and TETFUND and ended with a shared commitment to sustaining excellence in infrastructure development, research, and staff capacity building.

Tongdyen Dachung

Principal Assistant Registrar,

Information and Publications.