ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION FUNDING IN NIGERIA: A CASE FOR INCLUSIVITY

Abstract

This article canvasses the legal, constitutional, administrative and policy matrix that governs access to public tertiary education funding in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the continuing exclusion of private tertiary institutions from direct access to its resources. Deploying doctrinal legal analysis, comparative study and policy evaluation, the article argues for a calibrated model of inclusion that preserves TETFund’s remedial mission while permitting targeted public-interest investments in accredited private providers and expanding institution-neutral student-support mechanisms. The paper concludes with a model legislative amendment, operational modalities, a litigation strategy memo, and a roadmap for phased implementation. The piece includes National-Rule style footnotes and a comprehensive footnote section.