As he dedicates it to President Tinubu
By Chika Nwachukwu
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund,
Arc. Sonny Echono, has been named the 2025 Personality of the Year,
Tertiary Education Transformation Champion by AljazirahNigeria, a
prominent media organisation in Nigeria.
The award recognises Echono’s outstanding leadership and contributions to
transforming tertiary education in Nigeria.
Presenting the award, the CEO of AljazirahNigeria, London, Dr Etuk
Bassey Williams, praised Echono’s achievements, citing his ability to drive
reforms, ensure accountability and deliver value for money in TETFund’s
projects.
“Through your discerning leadership, projects have been delivered not
merely with commendable speed, but with accountability and value for
money,” he said.
He added that Echono’s leadership has elevated TETFund into a strategic
engine of research and intellectual achievement, positioning Nigerian
universities within the global knowledge economy.
He further revealed that AljazirahNigeria had conducted an exhaustive
investigation into Echono’s conduct and found no evidence of corruption.
“We delved into the darkest corners of global finance, searching for illicit
properties and offshore shell accounts. After several months of research, I
make bold to say that the Executive Secretary of TETFund is remarkably
untainted and is not corrupt,” he said.
Williams noted that the investigation, which included undercover reporters
posing as contractors and interviews with staff members, found no evidence
of corrupt practices involving Echono.
“Our Independent Assessment and Evaluation Team, which visited over 20
federal universities across Nigeria last year, speaks volumes about a great
impact beyond administrative rhetoric. Beyond the mere provision of bricks
and mortar, you have elevated the Fund into a strategic engine of research
and intellectual achievement,” he added.
“Furthermore, last year our investigative team visited TETFund in the guise
of undercover contractors, feigning participation in contract bidding during
this period. We also interviewed several staff members through various
means as part of our undercover investigations to understand exactly what is
happening in the organisation’s internal operations and bidding processes.
“Our findings, however, revealed no evidence of corrupt practices of any
kind involving the Executive Secretary,” he said.
Williams explained that the organisation has meticulously scrutinised the
affairs of public servants both within Nigeria and abroad, adding that the
findings would be made public by August.
“These findings on TETFund are meticulously documented in our 72-page
report titled Aljazirah Crack Findings on Public Servants in Nigeria,
which shall be presented to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and other anti-corruption agencies, as well as the general public, in August
2026,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Echono expressed humility and gratitude to
AljazirahNigeria, dedicating the award to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for
his support and commitment to education.
“I am greatly humbled. This is very cheering news for us,” he said, while
committing to continue serving the country and delivering impactful
projects.
“I listened to you and the great rigour and extent you went to. Indeed, I am
meeting you today for the first time, and I must state that nobody from
Aljazirah or anywhere contacted me in the course of this exercise.
“A friend of mine sent me a copy of the front-page banner for the
Wednesday edition. I just woke up to it. He sent it to me and said
congratulations.
“I was wondering. Again, in an institution like this, we receive so many
offers and so many awards. But there are those we value — those we know
are based entirely on accuracy, with nothing attached to them, but rather an
honest assessment of the performance of public officers. I want to deeply
thank you,” he said.
Echono highlighted TETFund’s achievements, including initiatives to
improve energy self-sufficiency in tertiary institutions and securing the 2026
interventions in advance during 2025.
He thanked the President for his support, citing the power-sector
intervention that helped institutions reduce their electricity bills.
Echono also emphasised the importance of developing Nigeria’s human
capital, saying:
“Nigeria will be one of those countries that will fill the global human capital
gap. But for this to be beneficial to us, our people must be properly trained
and imbued with the right skill sets, because that is where maximum benefit
can be derived.”
He added that TETFund is working to equip Nigerian youths with the skills
required for tomorrow’s workforce, making them globally competitive.
