FG Disburses N38.93bn to 166 Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government said it has disbursed N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions across the country under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund to address infrastructure deficits and improve teaching and learning facilities.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the disbursement covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education, with universities receiving the largest share of the intervention.

A breakdown of the allocations showed that universities received N28.50 billion, while polytechnics got N5.76 billion and colleges of education received N4.67 billion.

Among the universities, the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Benin, Bayero University, Kano, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and nine other federal universities each received N864.05 million.

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and other institutions in the same allocation category received N758.44 million each.

Other beneficiaries, including Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Benue State University, Makurdi, Kaduna State University and Lagos State University, received N261.39 million each.

For polytechnics, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Auchi Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, and several other institutions received N241.02 million each.

Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Federal Polytechnic, Idah and Waziri Umaru Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, received N192.82 million each.

Among the colleges of education, the Federal College of Education, Yola, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, and Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, each received N238.03 million.

The Nigerian Army School of Education, Ilorin, received N188.90 million, while several state owned colleges of education received allocations ranging from about N33.92 million to N56.17 million.

The ministry noted that the intervention is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the needs of public universities and implement agreed measures under the Memorandum of Understanding with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Head of Media at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, in a statement issued on Sunday night said the funds are expected to enable beneficiary institutions to commence or advance approved projects targeting critical infrastructure and other identified institutional needs.

It noted that the overall objective was to strengthen the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria through improved facilities and institutional capacity.