The Federal Government has approved a massive ₦4 billion intervention fund for each of 12 selected universities to modernize engineering workshops and procure high-tech equipment.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the move on Monday during the inauguration of the Implementation Committee for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Special High-Impact Intervention Projects in Abuja.
Key Highlights of the Intervention
The project is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial application by transforming engineering faculties into hubs of innovation.
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Total Initial Investment: ₦48 billion across 12 institutions.
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Future Funding: An additional ₦20 billion has been earmarked in the 2026 TETFund guidelines to upgrade more institutions.
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Primary Goal: To rehabilitate existing workshops, build new facilities where necessary, and provide industry-standard laboratories.
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Strategic Alignment: The initiative falls under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on skill acquisition and economic diversification.
Beneficiary Institutions
The 12 selected universities include a mix of specialized and conventional institutions:
Dr. Alausa emphasized that “funding alone does not guarantee results,” prompting the creation of a dedicated monitoring committee.
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The Mandate: The committee is tasked with monitoring project execution, ensuring strict adherence to specifications, and identifying challenges.
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Sanctions: The Minister warned that non-compliant institutions would face sanctions based on the committee’s periodic reports.
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Leadership: The committee is chaired by Ali Rabiu, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), who pledged the committee’s commitment to ensuring “value for money” and high-quality delivery.
