TETFund Urges Students to Protect Campus Infrastructure During Protests

By AmforGod J. Olisa

Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has called on Nigerian students to safeguard campus infrastructure during the planned nationwide protests from August 1-10.

Speaking at a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) delegation, led by its National President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, Echono highlighted the importance of protecting investments made in campus facilities. He stressed that taxpayers’ money has funded many of these assets, and it is crucial to prevent any destruction.

“I urge you to be vigilant on your campuses. Protect all TETFund assets and ensure no one destroys them. Let’s not allow hoodlums to exploit your legitimate demands to cause havoc,” Echono stated.

Echono emphasized the need for a stable academic calendar, noting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring harmony in the education sector. “The president instructed us to maintain a predictable academic calendar so students can know when they will graduate. He also charged TETFund to improve the learning experience and welfare of students,” he added.

Echono disclosed that TETFund has begun constructing 36 modern hostel facilities in tertiary institutions in 2024, with plans to increase this number to 72 in 2025. “This year, we’re building 36 hostels, and many are progressing well. The president has directed us to double this effort next year,” he said.

Addressing campus transportation, Echono revealed plans to convert existing buses to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and provide mass transit buses for students as part of TETFund’s interventions next year.

Echono also highlighted the urgent need to address power issues on campuses, noting that some universities face monthly electricity bills of N300 million to N400 million. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Power to find sustainable solutions. “We need alternative power sources to reduce this burden. Some universities can only afford to provide electricity for four hours a day,” he lamented.

Additionally, Echono announced the immediate payment of four months of salary arrears owed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (NASU).

He urged student leaders to discourage actions that could lead to social disorder, emphasizing the government’s willingness to address their demands. “The government has heard the youths and is willing to address all their demands. Seek negotiation channels rather than protests that could be hijacked by hoodlums,” Echono concluded.