The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a seven-member advisory committee to oversee the creation and management of multipurpose laboratories in tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative aims to strengthen research infrastructure, foster innovation, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy.
Executive Secretary Sonny Echono inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, giving members one month to provide strategic guidance on laboratory design, equipment specifications, deployment, and sustainable management. He explained that the effort is part of a broader goal to transform Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy into a production-focused, innovation-led nation.
“The initiative is designed to build a lasting research culture and support infrastructure capable of competing globally,” Echono said. He added that the committee would review previous equipment recommendations, consider rapid technological changes, and suggest measures to prevent obsolescence. Other responsibilities include recommending cost-effective procurement, evaluating management frameworks, proposing industry collaboration, and exploring revenue-generation opportunities.
Committee Chairman Chris Maiyaki, former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), thanked TETFund for the trust and pledged timely delivery. He highlighted that centralised, modern laboratories would bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing students and researchers with world-class facilities.
Echono assured that the laboratories would have alternative power supplies to support round-the-clock research. The project is expected to enhance industry-academic collaboration, foster innovative solutions, and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
With this initiative, TETFund is set to redefine research standards in Nigerian universities, making them hubs of innovation, technology development, and sustainable competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
