TETFund inaugurates projects worth N7bn in A’Ibom State University

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Chairman of TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, has commissioned projects worth N7 billion in Akwa Ibom State University.

Speaking during the inauguration of five projects in both the Ikot Akpaden and Obio Akpa campuses of the university, Masari stated that TETFund has temporarily suspended foreign training programmes and is channelling the funds into special interventions.

The chairman explained that the suspension was due to high foreign exchange rates, rising cost of overseas training and the trend of some scholars absconding while overseas.

He revealed that Akwa Ibom State University has benefited from TETFund’s interventions for 15 years to the tune of N14billion, saying the agency is committed to ensuring tertiary institutions contribute to national growth and development.

“Since 2010, Akwa Ibom State University has consistently benefited from TETFund’s interventions. From 2010 to 2025, the university has received a total allocation of 14,476,013,835.31.

“This amount is (Fourteen billion, Four hundred and Seventy six million, Thirteen thousand, Eight Hundred and thirty five Naira, thirty one kobo only). It is specifically for infrastructure-related projects under the Annual, Special, Zonal, and Special High-Impact intervention lines.

“Of this amount, a substantial portion has already been accessed, with only about N2.67 billion (Two billion, Sixty-Seven million Naira only) outstanding for access as ongoing projects reach maturity and completion.

“This is a remarkable achievement. With sustained judicious use of these funds, I am confident that the University will continue to position itself as a beacon of academic excellence and research, not only within this region but globally.

“The projects we are here to commission today are five (5) in number, with a total cost of N7,306,029,318.52 (Seven Billion, Three hundred and Six million, Twenty-nine thousand and Three hundred and Eighteen Naira, Fifty-two kobo only).

“However, due to high foreign exchange rates and the rising cost of overseas training well as the unfortunate trend of some scholars absconding-TETFund has had to temporarily suspend foreign training programmes.

“Instead, we are channelling resources into impactful special interventions, which we believe will yield significant dividends shortly,” he stated.

While speaking, the Vice Chancellor, AKSU, Prof. Nse Essien listed the projects commissioned to include the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Agriculture’s Laboratory and Classroom/Administrative buildings consisting of 189 new offices, 51 classrooms, 40 state-of-the-art laboratories and 237 restrooms among others.

Nse commended TETfund for the projects, saying they would enable more advanced research and laboratory work,  prepare scientists and public health experts to tackle regional and worldwide issues, as well as promote innovation, hands-on learning, and the advancement of STEM education, among others.

“Permit me to respectfully draw your attention to the fact that, despite having structural completion, the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture are still unfurnished.

“We humbly request that the TETFund and other development partners take into account furnishing these amenities to facilitate complete academic operations and functionality.

“We also request further TETFund interventions in other areas like ICJ development, digital libraries, postgraduate research infrastructure, and student hostels in both campuses of the University,” he appealed.

On his part, the immediate past Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Senator Udoma Udoma, commended TETFund for the projects conceived and implemented during his tenure as the Pro-Chancellor, and urged the management to take proper care of them.

“I want to encourage employees and students to take responsibility for these facilities. They are public resources that have been given to your care for study, education, and learning.

“Let us safeguard them from abuse, damage, and disregard. Given that these facilities serve both the current and future generations, I urge all users to treat them with care and to make proper upkeep a matter of obligation. “I urge the university’s administration to establish a strong maintenance culture, while utilising these projects for positive academic interactions, innovations, and scholarly developments that would enhance Akwa Ibom State University’s reputation both nationally and internationally,” he stated.