By Ngozi Nwankwo
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has been awarded the 2024 Anthology Visionary Award for its outstanding leadership in advancing education through technology.
A statement issued by Abdulmumin Oniyangi, Director, Public Affairs, TETFUND, said the feat was made possible through the agency’s significant contributions to integrating technology into Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions’ curricula and instructional methods.
The award ceremony, held at the Orlando World Center in the United States, drew an audience of over 2,000 global academic leaders.
In his acceptance speech, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who accepted the award on behalf of the agency, emphasised that TETFund’s initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to revamp Nigeria’s education sector and ensure that all graduates achieve digital literacy before completing their studies.
Recall that on October 17, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Prof. Tahir Mamman, introduced the Tertiary Education Research and Application Systems (TERAS) and Beneficiaries Identity Management System (BIMS) at the Federal Ministry of Education Auditorium in Abuja.
This initiative, spearheaded by TETFund in collaboration with Anthology and Blackboard, aims to create a more inclusive educational environment, enhance research and teaching, and improve student services across tertiary institutions.
Echono highlighted the essential role of digital literacy in today’s educational and employment landscapes, noting that while many countries have successfully incorporated digital skills into their curricula, Nigeria faces challenges such as outdated curricula, insufficiently trained educators, and inadequate infrastructure. These gaps result in graduates who are not fully prepared for technology-driven job markets.
To address these issues, he said TETFund is supporting over 280 public tertiary institutions with a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students achieve digital literacy. The agency’s plan includes phased curriculum integration, educator training, global partnerships, and the establishment of a National Center of Excellence for Digital Literacy and Emerging Skills.
During the event, participants were briefed on TETFund’s efforts to adopt learning management systems and improve student information management through advanced technology.