The Government of Gambia has announced plans to undertake a study tour to Nigeria’s foremost intervention agency, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund.
Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, MoHERST, Prof. Pierre Gomez, disclosed this when he led a high-powered delegation to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T Echono, on Monday in Abuja.
Gomez stated that the purpose of the visit was to inform the Executive Secretary about the establishment of Gambia’s Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, a replica of Nigeria’s TETFund and to seek the Fund’s assistance and cooperation during a study tour that would be embarked to Nigeria by officials of THET Fund soon.
He revealed that the Gambian authorities have over the years followed the activities and achievements of TETFund carefully on the Fund’s website, its social media handles and other media platforms, and found it necessary to establish a similar agency in order to support higher institutions in the country.
Gomez emphasized the need for effective collaboration between both agencies specifically in the areas of research and capacity development, noting that it would further strengthen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Gambia, particularly being neighbours in the West African region.
A statement by TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said Echono earlier welcomed the delegation to Nigeria and expressed appreciation to the Gambian Education Minister and his entourage for the visit.
The TETFund boss gave a brief account of the history of TETFund, noting that its status has over time transformed from when it was originally established as Education Trust Fund, ETF.
He informed the delegation that the establishment of TETFund arose from critical crisis that faced the tertiary education sector over three decades ago, which necessitated the Federal Government and other critical stakeholders to come up with an alternative source of funding for the institutions.
He stated until the introduction of the new Development Levy by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 2026, TETFund’s source of funding was a 3% Education Tax on the accessible profits of companies registered in Nigeria, and only public tertiary institutions are enlisted as beneficiaries.
While highlighting some achievement of the Fund over the years, the Executive Secretary emphasized that interventions are targeted at solving critical needs of institutions which include Essential physical infrastructure for teaching and learning, instructional materials and equipment, research and publication, academic staff training and development and, any other area that is critical and essential for the improvement and maintenance of standards in the higher educational institutions.
Other members of the Gambian delegation include Ms. Isatou Auber, Permanent Secretary, MoHERST, Dr. Samba Sowe, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Technical, MoHERST, Ms. Ndey Anta Taal, Project Coordinator, CPCU, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
