Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has been honored with a prestigious Leadership Award in London, UK. This accolade celebrates his outstanding leadership, transformative reforms, and remarkable contributions to the education sector, solidifying his reputation as a visionary leader dedicated to enhancing educational excellence.

Arc. Sonny Echono has received widespread commendations for his exceptional leadership at TETFund, which has led to significant improvements in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. Under his guidance, TETFund has made remarkable strides in promoting infrastructural growth, improving academic standards, and enhancing human capital development.

Since assuming office in 2022, Echono has overseen the completion of 950 physical infrastructural projects, providing essential facilities for academic activities. These efforts have created a conducive learning environment, equipping students and educators with the necessary resources to excel.

To curb medical tourism and retain capital within the country, TETFund has provided modern laboratory equipment for Urology, Endourology, and Cancer Centres in six University Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria’s geo-political zones. This initiative enhances the capacity of local institutions to offer advanced medical services.

Echono has also prioritized research and development, reconstituting the National Research Fund (NRF Granting Committee) and significantly increasing funding gaps for critical research. In 2022, TETFund sponsored 270 NRF projects worth ₦5.7 billion, followed by 185 projects worth over ₦5.1 billion in 2023. Additionally, over ₦10.5 billion has been disbursed for Institution-Based Research, and three new Centres of Excellence were established including the Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Ibadan, bringing the total to 27.

The TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) has further bolstered research capabilities, training 176 researchers and developing 16 prototypes, including a self-programmable hearing aid tailored for the African market. The Research for Impact (R4i) programme has also enhanced lecturers’ capacity for innovative scientific research.

Academic staff development has seen substantial support, with 23,271 staff sponsored for Ph.D. programs, 15,977 for Master’s degrees, and 77,675 for academic conferences. TETFund has procured over three million library books, published 845 academic research journals, and unveiled 60 textbooks authored by Nigerian scholars.

Echono’s reforms have emphasized transparency and accountability, leading to prudent spending and the elimination of financial leakages. The introduction of the Tertiary Education Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform has enhanced digital capabilities, providing essential IT infrastructure and services to tertiary institutions.

Strategic partnerships with international institutions, such as FARA (Universities in Brazil) and Campus France coupled with collaborations with the British government and the African Union, have further strengthened TETFund’s impact. These partnerships have facilitated the training of Nigerian professionals and the development of research capabilities.

Echono’s leadership has instilled confidence in the public and stakeholders, demonstrated by the unprecedented Education Tax (EDT) revenue collection of N725.74 billion in 2023. This has led to increased allocations for beneficiary institutions, with each University receiving N1,906,944,930.00, each Polytechnic N1,165,355,235.00, and each College of Education N1,398,426,282.00.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have similarly recently recognized Echono with an Award of Excellence for his exemplary leadership in education, further affirming his impact on the sector. His dedication to service delivery, transparency, and accountability has transformed TETFund into a beacon of educational excellence and innovation in Nigeria.

TETFund was established as an intervention agency under the TETFund ACT – Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment Act, 2011. The Act repeals the Education Tax Act Cap. E4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Education Tax Fund Act No. 17, 2003, which were the enabling legal foundations for the ETF).

Its areas of intervention include sponsorship of lecturers for postgraduate studies, funding constructions and refurbishment of educational facilities, promoting creative and innovative approach to learning; provision of higher educational books and funding of libraries, and provision of learning equipment.