The federal government has committed N4 billion to revamp engineering faculties in 12 federal universities, spanning the nation’s six geo-political zones.
The allocation covers six universities of technology and six conventional universities, aiming to enhance laboratories, workshops, and research facilities.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation, and Implementation Committee for the TETFUND High Impact Intervention Project.
Describing the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen engineering and technology education, Alausa said the funds would rehabilitate existing workshops, build new facilities where needed, and provide upgraded equipment to modernise teaching and research.
“Engineering and technology education are fundamental to Nigeria’s aspirations for industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The minister added that universities outside the current engineering and technology program would also benefit through upgrades to their medical schools, with N4 billion allocated for similar improvements.
He explained that the intervention would be rolled out in tranches, targeting gaps that have historically undermined the employability of graduates.
“No nation can achieve meaningful development without strong capacity in science, engineering, and technology,” Alausa stressed.
The committee, chaired by Ali Rabiu, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, will oversee project execution, ensure compliance with approved standards, monitor timelines, evaluate outcomes, and produce reports to guide future policy decisions.
Alausa emphasised that the success of the initiative would rely on effective implementation, strict adherence to standards, transparency, and accountability.
Vice-Chancellors, faculty leadership, consultants, and contractors were urged to cooperate fully with the committee, with the minister noting that monitoring and evaluation are not obstacles but key mechanisms for delivering impactful results.
“As we inaugurate this committee, we reaffirm our commitment not just to funding education, but to ensuring measurable outcomes that equip our youth with skills and technological competence for a rapidly evolving global environment,” Alausa said.
Among the universities benefiting from the program are Federal University of Technology, Minna; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Nigerian Army University, Biu; Federal University of Technology, Babura; and Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi.
The initiative marks a significant step toward positioning Nigeria’s universities as centres of innovation and practical problem-solving, supporting the country’s industrialisation and economic development goals.
