Follow Us on Google
Arch. Sonny S. T. Echono’s appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) opened a new chapter in the Federal Government’s desire to advance education in the country. It was a validation of his pedigree as a distinguished public administrator, accomplished architect, and reform-driven technocrat with over 35 years of exemplary service in Nigeria’s public sector.
Echono’s exploits in public service did not come as a surprise, given his rich academic background as an alumnus of some of the world’s leading institutions, including Harvard Business School, Oxford University, the University of Cambridge, and Columbia University.
In his illustrious career, he has held numerous leadership positions within the Federal Civil Service, earning a reputation for excellence in public administration, policy formulation, procurement reforms, and institutional transformation. His extensive experience spans key sectors including housing, defence, agriculture, communications, education, power, environment, and water resources.
At the beginning of his public service career, Echono served in different capacities at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, including Secretary of the Implementation Committee on the National Housing Policy, Secretary of the Special Projects Task Force, and Secretary of the Committee on Lands and Housing.
Other News
He was appointed as Chief Executive Architect, Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Council Affairs and Parastatals, as well as Secretary of the Ministerial Tenders Board in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing at different times.
He also served as Director of Procurement in several strategic ministries, including Defence, Water Resources, Environment, Agriculture & Rural Development, and Power, where he played pivotal roles in entrenching transparency, accountability, and value-for-money principles in public procurement.
Echono eventually rose to the pinnacle of the Federal Civil Service as Permanent Secretary, serving in the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Communications, and Education. In these capacities, he spearheaded critical reforms and policy initiatives that significantly impacted national development.
Over the years, he has been at the forefront of several landmark policy and reform initiatives, including the review of Administrative Guidelines in the Nigerian Civil Service; harmonisation of Financial Regulations with the Public Procurement Act 2007; development of the National Housing and Urban Development Policies; National Maintenance Policy; National Building Code and Fire Safety Code as well as Procurement Reforms and Due Process Guidelines, among others.
His wealth of experience extends to service on numerous boards and governing councils, including the Board of Architectural Education in Nigeria, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigerian Postal Service, Universal Basic Education Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and the Global Partnership for Education, among others.
Through his remarkable career in public service, professional practice, and educational development, he continues to demonstrate visionary leadership, innovation as well as unwavering commitment to national development and the advancement of higher education in Nigeria.
At the TETFUND in the last four years, he has provided strategic leadership in advancing infrastructure development, research, innovation, and academic staff training, thereby strengthening institutions across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
It is for his uncommon accomplishments that he is winner of the Public Service Personality Award 2026.
