FUTIA Vice-Chancellor Commends TETFund at South-South Town Hall Meeting, Calls for Overseas Training in Specialized Fields

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Leo Daniel, has lauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its far-reaching interventions in Nigerian tertiary institutions, particularly in infrastructure, workforce training, and research.

Prof. Daniel gave the commendation during the 2025 TETFund Board of Trustees Town Hall Meeting for the South-South Zone, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Rhocharls Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In his remarks, the FUTIA Vice-Chancellor urged TETFund to extend its sponsorships to overseas postgraduate training in specialized and innovative fields where Nigerian universities currently lack sufficient programs. He identified Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering, Naval Architecture, and Cybersecurity as priority areas, stressing that such training would help close the manpower gap in industries critical to national development.

“As one of the few institutions currently offering these specialized programmes at the undergraduate level, FUTIA believes that overseas postgraduate sponsorships are vital to building capacity in fields where local postgraduate options are limited or non-existent,” Prof. Daniel stated.

He expressed appreciation on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff, and Students of FUTIA to the Federal Government, the TETFund Board of Trustees led by His Excellency Aminu Masari, South-South Board Member Hon. Aboh Uduyok, and the Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, for their strategic management of the Fund and its impact on beneficiary institutions nationwide.

Earlier, Hon. Aboh Uduyok, the TETFund Board Member representing the South-South, described the town hall meeting as a platform for dialogue, transparency, and inclusiveness. He emphasized that the initiative was designed to deepen accountability, foster stronger trust among stakeholders, and align TETFund interventions with the aspirations of tertiary institutions.

The event featured paper presentations on critical issues, including “The Achievements of TETFund under President Bola Tinubu’s Administration” by Prof. Patrick Nyong Asuquo, “TETFund and the Future of Tertiary Education in Nigeria” by Mr. Ntia Thompson, and “The Challenges in the Tertiary Education Sub-sector and the Emergence of TETFund” by Prof. Alafuro Epelle.

Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, TETFund Desk Officers, ASUU Chairpersons, and other stakeholders attended the meeting, which also highlighted TETFund’s major achievements and produced new resolutions to further advance higher education in the country.