TETFUND 2025 Update: Approved Institutions for Academic Staff Training and Development Revealed

 


The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has released a new circular dated March 24th, 2025, updating its guidelines on academic staff training and development programs. This follows the earlier directive from late last year, where the fund suspended all foreign components of the program due to financial constraints and strategic considerations.

The latest circular reaffirms TETFUND's commitment to enhancing the quality of higher education in Nigeria by focusing on strengthening partnerships with select institutions. While international study programs are suspended, this updated release outlines a comprehensive list of approved, "tenable" universities for postgraduate studies within Nigeria.

Key highlights from the circular

(i) Reinforcement of local capacity building: The circular emphasizes the need to build academic excellence locally, directing academic staff to pursue Master's and PhD programs in designated Nigerian universities. This aligns with TETFUND's vision of fostering sustainable development in the nation's educational sector while conserving foreign exchange.

(ii)Criteria for tenable institutions: The universities listed were selected based on their performance indicators, capacity to deliver high-quality postgraduate training, and accreditation status by the National Universities Commission (NUC). This ensures that only institutions with proven track records of academic excellence are eligible to receive TETFUND-sponsored scholars.

(iii)Focus areas: The updated framework prioritizes critical fields of study that align with national development goals. These include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), education, agriculture, and other disciplines key to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation.

The List of Tenable Institutions

The circular contains an extensive list of universities approved for the 2025 academic staff training cycle. These institutions, spread across Nigeria's geopolitical zones, include federal, state, and specialized universities renowned for their postgraduate programs.


Geo-Political Zone

Universities

North West

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

North East

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri; Modibbo Adama University, Yola

North Central

University of Ilorin, Ilorin; University of Jos, Jos; Federal University of Technology, Minna

South West

University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso

South East

University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

South South

University of Benin, Benin City; University of Calabar, Calabar; University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt

Specialized Universities

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, Benue State.

Private Universities

 Nile University, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory; Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti; American University of Nigeria, Yola. Covenant University, Ota; Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo; Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State; Madonna University, Okija, Anambara State; Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State; Baze University, Abuja

This categorized list provides clarity for academic staff seeking TETFUND sponsorship and university, polytechnic, and college of education administrators responsible for guiding their faculty on career advancement opportunities.

For lecturers and researchers aspiring to advance their qualifications under the TETFUND scheme, this updated list provides a clear pathway to selecting institutions recognized for their academic rigor. It also signals a shift towards strengthening the capacity of local universities to deliver world-class education.

  1. Academic staff are encouraged to align their research interests with the nation’s development priorities.
  2. The universities listed are expected to uphold high academic standards, ensuring that scholars under this scheme receive top-tier education and training.

The new TETFUND circular, though restrictive in excluding foreign study programs, underscores a strategic move towards nurturing homegrown intellectual capacity. By investing in Nigerian universities, TETFUND is promoting a more self-sufficient, resilient higher education sector, a vital step in building a knowledge-driven economy.

For academics seeking to pursue postgraduate studies, this update is a reminder to stay informed, plan strategically, and seize the opportunity to grow within Nigeria's evolving academic landscape.


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