Evaluating Tertiary Education Trust Fund's Role in Financing Colleges of Education in Nigeria: Evidence from College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State

This study evaluates the interventionist role of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in financing Colleges of Education in Nigeria, focusing on the College of Education (COE), Akwanga, Nasarawa State. Grounded in Human Capital Theory and Public Goods Theory, the study examines both physical infrastructure investments and academic staff development programs funded by TETFund and their overall impact on institutional productivity. A mixedmethod descriptive survey design was employed, sampling academic staff across departments. Secondary data reveals a cumulative allocation exceeding ₦7.8 billion to COE Akwanga, encompassing over ₦954 million in major capital projects (such as the Home Economics, Undergraduate Programmes, School of Education complexes, etc.) and approximately ₦950 million in academic staff training and conference sponsorships (comprising 108 Ph.D. candidates, 179 Master's degree candidates, and 119 conference attendees). Primary data gathered via a validated 5-point Likert scale instrument (α = 0.84) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pedagogical effectiveness (t 180 = 4.12, p < 0.001), research publication output (r = 0.618, p < 0.001), and overall job satisfaction (r = 0.542, p < 0.001). However, critical gaps persist—most notably the absence of a modern central library facility and maintenance bottlenecks. The study recommends aligning future funding with un-earmarked institutional priorities and establishing dedicated post-intervention maintenance frameworks.