Polytechnics, Colleges Apply for TETFund's Commercial Farms Intervention

News in Brief

-TETFund's Phase 2 intervention invites polytechnics and colleges of education to apply for grants to establish commercial farms in the institution.

-This move supports Nigeria's agri-transformation by linking education to entrepreneurship, requiring evidence of existing farms and large lands for sustainable impact on youth and food security.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has begun the process of choosing tertiary institutions for the second phase of its Agricultural Commercial Farms Intervention. 

This intervention project, designed to strengthen agricultural education and practical learning while improving food productionin tertiary institutions nationwide, is being done for the second time and now focusing only on polytechnics and colleges of education.

Polytechnics and Colleges Urged to Apply

In a statement released on Monday by the management, TETFUND is inviting eligible polytechnics and colleges of education across the country to apply for support aimed at boosting commercial agriculture, research, and student training in tertiary institutions.

The funding body noted that the intervention is designed to strengthen agricultural education while improving food production and practical learning outcomes in tertiary institutions nationwide.

“As part of measures aimed at advancing modern agricultural practices through effective teaching, research, and entrepreneurship training, TETFund is promoting the establishment of commercial farms and livestock production in Tertiary Institutions,” the statement said.

It noted that the programme builds on earlier efforts already implemented in the university system. According to the statement, ten (10) Universities were selected across the country in the first phase. This second round is for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, and they will be selected 'competitively' across the country.

Selection Criteria and Requirements

TETFund outlined clear selection criteria for institutions interested in benefiting from the intervention. The criteria include the following:

a. The institution must be a TETFund Beneficiary Polytechnic or College of Education with a School of Agricultural Technology or a School of Vocational and Technical Studies that has significant student enrolment.

b. The institution must have a large expanse of land of at least fifty (50) hectares for agricultural purposes, with a freehold land title that is not encumbered by any joint venture or private ownership.

c. The institution must already operate a commercial farm and agribusiness with at least one value chain covering crop production, animal production, fisheries, or poultry.

Beneficiary institutions that meet the requirements are also required to submit an Expression of Interest in two copies. The submission must include:

• Survey plan of land designated for commercial agriculture

• Evidence of existing commercial agricultural venture or enterprise

• List of approved accredited agriculture-related courses and programmes

• Students’ enrolment figures

• Number of specialised academic and technical staff, including Chief Lecturers, Principal Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Lecturers II–I, Lecturers III, Assistant Lecturers, and Agricultural Engineers or Technologists

• Financial statements relating to the agricultural venture or enterprise.

Application Process

Interested institutions are directed to send their Expression of Interest to the Office of the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), No. 6 Zambezi Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, not later than Friday, 9th February 2026. 

TETFund further explained that funding under the intervention will be strictly controlled.

“The funds to be disbursed shall be directed solely at the enterprise for commercial production and sale to the public,” the statement said. It added that proposals must also show plans for training students in modern agricultural techniques and the adoption of technology.

The agency stated that approved proposals will receive grants in stages or tranches based on pre-determined milestones and verified satisfactory performance.