By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
August 20, 2026
Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Ocholi, the North Central representative on the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and other education stakeholders for their contributions to the development of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Ocholi spoke on Thursday at the 2026 TETFund North Central Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting held in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he said the engagement was designed to promote dialogue, accountability and collaboration among TETFund, beneficiary institutions, governments, students, traditional rulers, host communities and other stakeholders.
Ocholi Commends Tinubu, Ododo and TETFund Leadership
The TETFund board member thanked President Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to tertiary education under the Renewed Hope Agenda and commended Governor Ododo for hosting and supporting the North Central stakeholders’ meeting.
He also appreciated the Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; traditional rulers; heads of tertiary institutions and other participants.
Ocholi’s comments come shortly after his appointment to the TETFund Board. The Bureau Journal previously reported that SGF George Akume congratulated Dr. Hassan Ocholi on his TETFund Board appointment and charged him to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Ocholi Highlights TETFund Interventions
Ocholi highlighted TETFund interventions in academic staff development, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, postgraduate scholarships and infrastructure.
He also pointed to investments in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, coding and renewable energy, as areas capable of helping Nigerian tertiary institutions respond to changing economic and technological demands.
According to him, strengthening tertiary education requires more than the construction of physical infrastructure, with institutions also needing modern teaching facilities, research support, digital technology, innovation programmes and opportunities that improve graduate employability.
Stakeholders Seek More Funding, Accountability
Stakeholders at the meeting called for stronger collaboration between tertiary institutions and industries, increased funding for TETFund, improved accountability in the utilisation of intervention funds and greater attention to the specific educational needs of institutions across the North Central zone.
They also emphasised the importance of ensuring that education interventions translate into measurable improvements in teaching, research, innovation and skills development.
The discussions reflect broader concerns about the capacity of Nigerian tertiary institutions to provide students with the practical and technological skills required by employers and emerging industries.
North Central Stakeholders Target Research in Key Sectors
The meeting resolved to sustain stakeholder engagement and promote practical, solution-driven research in agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, renewable energy and security.
The stakeholders said research conducted by tertiary institutions should increasingly address real economic and social challenges while creating opportunities for collaboration with governments, industries and private-sector organisations.
The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
Communiqué Presented to Governor Ododo
A communiqué containing the resolutions reached at the town hall was presented to Governor Ododo, who subsequently handed it over to the Minister of Information and National Orientation for onward transmission to President Tinubu.
The stakeholders also passed votes of confidence in Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; TETFund Board Chairman, Aminu Bello Masari; and Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono.
Ocholi Seeks Stronger Tertiary Education Collaboration
Ocholi expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen collaboration among TETFund, governments, institutions and other stakeholders in the education sector.
He said sustained engagement would help position tertiary institutions in the North Central zone to produce the skills, knowledge and innovations required for sustainable national development.
The emphasis on technology and innovation also builds on growing efforts to expand technology education and digital skills among young Nigerians. The Bureau Journal recently reported on a Kogi youth technology initiative focused on digital skills and innovation, highlighting calls for greater investment in technology education and youth development.
With TETFund interventions spanning infrastructure, research, staff development and emerging technologies, stakeholders are expected to continue pushing for stronger accountability and measurable outcomes from education funding across the North Central region.
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