Gambia to understudy TETFund as country seeks stronger tertiary education financing

The Government of The Gambia has announced plans for officials of its newly established Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund to visit Nigeria and study the operations of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The Gambian Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, made this announcement during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, at TETFund's headquarters in Abuja.

Gomez explained that the proposed study tour would enable officials from the Gambian fund to learn from TETFund's experience in financing tertiary education, research, infrastructure, and capacity development. He stated that Gambian authorities had been following TETFund's activities and achievements, which prompted the establishment of a similar financing mechanism for The Gambia's higher education system.

The visit aims to seek TETFund's assistance and cooperation as the Gambian fund develops its operations, particularly in research and capacity development, which would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia. Echono welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of TETFund's evolution, which began as the Education Trust Fund in 1993 and was transformed into TETFund under the 2011 Act.

He highlighted TETFund's role in addressing critical needs in beneficiary institutions, including infrastructure, instructional materials, research, and academic staff training. The planned Nigerian study tour comes as The Gambia seeks to strengthen its financing and institutional development of the tertiary education and technical and vocational education and training system.