The Federal Government has approved the release of N48 billion for the rehabilitation of engineering infrastructure and the provision of modern equipment in 12 federal and state universities nationwide, in a bid to strengthen engineering and technology education.
The initiative falls under the special high-impact project of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the 2026 intervention cycle.
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee for the TETFund Special High Impact Intervention Project targeting engineering and technology faculties in Federal Universities of Technology and selected conventional universities.
He stated that each beneficiary institution would receive N4 billion to either rehabilitate existing engineering and technology workshops or construct new ones where necessary, alongside the installation of state-of-the-art equipment. According to him, the intervention is designed to reposition engineering and technology education to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
Alausa explained that the project forms part of broader reforms being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with TETFund to transform universities into centres of practical learning, applied research, and innovation.
He noted that the government aims to close the persistent gap between theoretical instruction and practical competence among engineering graduates, a challenge he said has affected employability and reduced industry confidence.
“This intervention has been deliberately structured to deliver modern workshops, advanced laboratories, and industry-relevant training environments capable of producing graduates who can design, fabricate, test, and industrialise solutions,” he said.
The minister added that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises skills development, youth empowerment, and economic diversification through education and technology.
He emphasised that the newly inaugurated committee was established to ensure strict monitoring, transparency, and accountability in project execution. The committee will supervise rehabilitation works, ensure adherence to approved standards, monitor fund utilisation in line with procurement laws, maintain digital project records, and submit periodic reports to the ministry and TETFund. It is also empowered to recommend sanctions for non-compliant institutions and ensure value for money.
Beneficiary institutions include Federal Universities of Technology across the six geopolitical zones, as well as selected conventional universities such as the Nigerian Army University, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, and Delta State University, among others.
Alausa clarified that the intervention is separate from other allocations under TETFund’s 2026 spending framework, which also sets aside an additional N20 billion for upgrading engineering workshops in other universities nationwide.
He further noted that Nigeria’s tertiary education sector has experienced significant stability under the current administration, with nearly three years of uninterrupted academic activities, adding that longstanding issues responsible for strikes have been addressed.
Describing the initiative as a strategic national investment, the minister expressed confidence that its effective implementation would restore confidence in engineering education and position Nigeria as a regional hub for technological excellence.
In her remarks, Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the project as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s capacity in science, engineering, and technology education. She stressed that beyond funding, effective monitoring and accountability would be essential for measurable outcomes.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, commended the Federal Government and the National Assembly for supporting reforms aimed at restoring Nigerian universities to global competitiveness.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, noted that the intervention would significantly bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical engineering skills among Nigerian students.
