The Board Member representing the North Central region of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, on Tuesday delivered a Distinguished Personality Lecture at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), where he unveiled multi-billion Naira commitments aimed at transforming academic research and entrepreneurship.
The lecture, titled “TETFund as a Catalyst for Transformative Educational Outcomes: A Paradigm Shift Towards Achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda’s Objectives in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,” was organized by the Department of Political Science in honour of Engr. Adeyemi, who is also the Chairman of the ENACT Foundation.
Engr. Adeyemi announced that TETFund will make a total sum of N7.5 billion available through its National Research Fund (NRF) Grant to promote and support research projects. Furthermore, N3 billion will be committed to the establishment of Innovation Hubs and Parks at tertiary institutions across the country.
These hubs he said will be equipped to transform academic ideas into practical solutions, foster entrepreneurship, and accelerate the commercialization of research outputs.
The TETFund Board Member stressed that increased resources have been channelled into teacher training, entrepreneurship development, research, and innovation to ensure Nigerian institutions produce graduates who are employable, innovative, and capable of creating jobs and solving societal problems.
Engr. Adeyemi further highlighted the significance of the Tinubu administration’s TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Initiative, introduced in May, noting its role in reducing youth unemployment and building a future-ready workforce. He also mentioned the Social Investment Earn While You Learn (EWL) programme, a vocational skills training loan scheme by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides training, a monthly stipend, and a startup grant for young people.
The Esie born philanthropist cautioned against the waste of public funds caused by constructing projects, such as skill acquisition centres, without equipping them. He noted that this common practice consequently defeats the purpose of establishing them.
He commended First Lady Mrs. Remi Tinubu for her decision to raise funds for the completion of the National Library Project to mark her 65th birthday, calling it a good decision that is replicated even in developed countries.
Declaring the event open, earlier the Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Muktar Adeiza, lauded Engr. Adeyemi for his unique African character and humility, demonstrated by his show of respect to elders.
He urged him to sustain his contributions to human capital development through his philanthropic gestures.
On his part, the Head of the Political Science Department, Dr. Edun Abdulkareem, also charged Engr. Adeyemi to maintain his simplicity and humility.
The event, attended by high-profile dignitaries including the Registrar, Mr. Mansur Alfanla, and the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Moddibo (represented by Dr. Akanni Sunday), also featured a N5 Million donation by the honoree, Engr. Adeyemi as a token of support to the Department of Political Science to better the learning experience of its students.
Similarly, the Department of Political Science presented a plaque to Engr. Adeyemi in recognition of his outstanding service.
Professor Gafar Ijaiya, a Professor of Economics, praised Engr. Adeyemi for his altruism and the positive impacts of the Innovation Hub he established in Ajase-Ipo.
Miss Helen Agbudeloye, the National President of the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), further highlighted TETFund’s impact by delivering a powerful poem titled “TETFund: A Catalyst of Hope.”
