Chidimma Uchegbu
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has lauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as one of Nigeria’s best-managed government institutions, applauding its transparency and impact on tertiary education.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation of students from Colleges of Education across Nigeria, COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, praised TETFund’s leadership under Arc. Sonny Echono. “TETFund has transformed into a beacon of excellence in public service,” he said, “handling large sums with integrity and welcoming union oversight.”
The students, led by Comrade Ahmed Akande, commended COEASU for championing the Federal Government’s approval of the Dual Mandate that allows Colleges of Education to award degrees. Akande, however, urged the Union to push for the payment of monthly stipends to education students on teaching practice, similar to the allowances given to medical and engineering interns.
Dr. Olugbeko responded by urging the students to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Dual Mandate bill into law and expressed optimism about the teaching practice stipend. “The involvement of TETFund in the implementation process is a guarantee of its successful execution,” he assured, citing the agency’s transparency and proactive engagement with stakeholders like COEASU, ASUU, and ASUP.
He further applauded Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his reforms, stating that the Ministry is steering Nigeria’s education sector toward transformation.
Reaffirming COEASU’s commitment, Dr. Olugbeko charged the students to uphold integrity. “As teachers in training, you must demonstrate the good qualities of teachers in all your endeavours,” he advised.
The Union pledged to continue engaging the government and agencies to improve students’ welfare and reposition teacher education nationwide.
