The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has received the prestigious 2024 Anthology Visionary Award in recognition of its exceptional leadership in integrating technology into Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
According to a statement from Abdulmumin Oniyangi, Director of Public Affairs at TETFund, the award acknowledges the agency’s significant contributions to embedding technology into the curricula and teaching methods of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions.
The award ceremony, held at the Orlando World Center in the United States, was attended by over 2,000 global academic leaders. In his acceptance speech, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who accepted the award on behalf of the agency, emphasized that TETFund’s initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to revitalize Nigeria’s education sector and ensure that all graduates are digitally literate before completing their studies.
On October 17, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Prof. Tahir Mamman, launched the Tertiary Education Research and Application Systems (TERAS) and the Beneficiaries Identity Management System (BIMS) at the Federal Ministry of Education Auditorium in Abuja. This initiative, spearheaded by TETFund in collaboration with Anthology and Blackboard, aims to create a more inclusive educational environment, enhance research and teaching, and improve student services across tertiary institutions.
Echono highlighted the critical importance of digital literacy in today’s educational and employment landscapes. He noted that while many countries have successfully integrated digital skills into their curricula, Nigeria faces challenges such as outdated curricula, insufficiently trained educators, and inadequate infrastructure. These issues result in graduates who are not fully prepared for technology-driven job markets.
To address these challenges, TETFund is supporting over 280 public tertiary institutions with a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students achieve digital literacy. This plan includes phased curriculum integration, educator training, global partnerships, and the establishment of a National Center of Excellence for Digital Literacy and Emerging Skills.
During the event, participants were briefed on TETFund’s efforts to adopt learning management systems and improve student information management through advanced technology.
