TETFund Approves Salary Increase and Arrears Payment for Staff

The Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved an increase in staff salaries, which have remained unchanged since 2011.

TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, made the announcement during a staff recognition ceremony in Abuja, highlighting the board’s decision to also clear salary arrears for the year.

“And they (the Board) also endorsed that we should actually pay your arrears this year,” Echono said, bringing relief to staff who have waited for this adjustment for over a decade.

The event celebrated the exceptional performance of 19 staff members, with awards also given to 27 employees for their long-term service to TETFund. “Staff appreciation, including long service awards, are essential elements of workforce motivation,” Echono stated, expressing gratitude for their dedication and contributions that have expanded TETFund’s impact nationwide.

He urged awardees to use their recognition as “an additional tonic to put in more effort” and encouraged others not to be discouraged. “Maybe next year, or the following year, it will be your turn,” he said, emphasising that the reward system is a continuous cycle.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, also spoke, praising both the staff and the Executive Secretary for their efforts. “When I came here, I heard many negative stories, but what I found was a team committed to excellence,” he noted.

The ceremony’s highlight was the “Staff of the Year” award, which was presented to Ms. Sanusi Gumbi, who received the gold award. Additionally, 27 employees were honored for their long service, with categories ranging from Bronze to Gold.

Gom Marian – Report

TETFund to Sponsor Four Medical Labs Across Nigerian Universities

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced initiative to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system by sponsoring the construction of four state-of-the-art medical laboratories at universities across the country.

This move aims to foster advanced medical simulation and innovation in healthcare training.

TETFund’s Board Chairman, Aminu Bello Masari, unveiled the plan on Tuesday during the launch of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Medical Simulation and Innovation in Abuja.

“The state of our public healthcare system demands urgent investment in innovation,” Masari said, emphasising that medical simulation and telemedicine technologies would help elevate Nigeria’s healthcare standards.

The project, under TETFund’s 2025 intervention, will focus on simulation-based learning to train healthcare professionals without risk.

This cutting-edge method will help reduce medical errors and improve critical thinking skills, addressing the high mortality rates from unsafe practices.

Masari also highlighted telemedicine’s potential to improve access to healthcare, especially in underserved areas, by using digital tools like AI diagnostics and remote consultations to bridge the country’s significant doctor-patient ratio gap.

Prof. Wale Sulaiman, a renowned neurosurgeon, will lead the newly established committee to analyse healthcare gaps and propose digital health solutions.

TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, noted that the medical simulation technologies would support university health sciences programs, providing more educational opportunities and reducing reliance on international collaborations.

Gom Mirian  – Report