By Eniola Olakunri
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
— John Dewey, American education reformer and philosopher
UDUS Leads the Charge in Medical Breakthroughs and Research
Nigeria’s education sector witnessed a historic milestone when Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) Teaching Hospital successfully performed its first kidney transplant at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology. Both the donor and recipient are reported to be in good health, marking a significant advancement in local medical capabilities.
UDUS’s achievements extend beyond surgery. In 2023, TETFund-supported researchers at the university (in collaboration with other research institutions), played a pivotal role in advancing the COVID-19 DNA vaccine candidate (SJN3T) Corvac, to pre-clinical trials in addition to taking steps towards developing first-ever Lassa fever vaccine. These breakthroughs, made possible through the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET), showcase TETFund’s commitment to cutting-edge research.
Speaking at the transplant event, Dr. Salisu Bakari, TETFund’s Director of Research and Development, hailed UDUS as a leader among the 27 TETFund-sponsored Centres of Excellence nationwide.
TETFund’s Expanding Impact Across Nigeria
While UDUS stands out, it is part of a much broader transformation driven by TETFund’s interventions in 262 public tertiary institutions, including:
106 universities
82 polytechnics
74 colleges of education.
The list keeps growing.
TETFund’s contributions extend beyond infrastructure to include research funding, staff training, digital education, and the rehabilitation of outdated facilities.
In recognition of these efforts, The New Telegraph Newspaper awarded TETFund the “Most Improved Government Agency of the Year 2024”, presented at a Lagos ceremony on February 21, 2025.
At the occasion, the newspaper noted that the award “reflects TETFund’s unwavering commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s tertiary education through strategic interventions, substantial funding and a focus on research and development”
The paper noted that between 2011 and 2024, TETFund disbursed nearly N2 trillion to public tertiary institutions, reinforcing its role as a pillar of educational development in Nigeria.
Accepting the award, TETFund Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny S.T. Echono, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to elevating Nigeria’s education landscape through strategic funding and innovation-driven reforms.
Tinubu’s Vision: Overhauling Nigeria’s Education System
At the core of this transformation is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, ThisDay Newspaper’s 2024 Man of the Year. Despite economic headwinds, the President remains resolute in his mission to revamp Nigeria’s education sector to meet global standards.
