TETFund Investment To Unlock North Central’s Economic Potential -Information Minister

The Federal Government’s investment in tertiary education through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will help unlock the North Central region’s agricultural, mineral, energy and economic potential, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said.

Idris made the statement on Thursday in Lokoja, Kogi State, at the 2026 TETFund North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting.

He said universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the region must align their programmes with its development needs and produce graduates equipped with skills for agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology and other sectors.

“Our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must therefore be closely connected to these opportunities, producing the scientists, engineers, agricultural experts, technicians and entrepreneurs required to unlock the vast potential of the North Central,” he said.

Idris said the Federal Government’s commitment was reflected in the 2026 TETFund intervention, with about ₦2.53 billion allocated to each public university, ₦1.87 billion to each polytechnic and ₦2.06 billion to each college of education.

“These are not simply budgetary figures. They represent laboratories that can be equipped, lecture halls that can be built, libraries that can be modernised, research that can be supported and students who can learn in better environments,” he said.

The minister called for stronger links between tertiary institutions and industry, stressing that institutions must go beyond producing graduates to focus on research, innovation and job creation.

He also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), technical and vocational education, digital skills and entrepreneurship programmes in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Education is therefore not only an economic investment; it is an investment in national security and social stability,” Idris said.

He urged TETFund to ensure transparency, effective monitoring and accountability in the use of intervention funds, while calling on stakeholders to turn recommendations from the town hall meeting into measurable action.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, said tertiary institutions must move beyond producing graduates and become centres for research and practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

“We need research that solves problems in agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and security. Our research must move beyond theory to solutions that improve the lives of our people,” Ododo said.

He added that tertiary institutions should help transform the region’s natural resources and human capital into food security, industrial growth, employment and sustainable development.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by Prof. Babatunde Bernard; former Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada; Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; and other dignitaries.