The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) has announced a significant investment of N110 billion aimed at strengthening the training of medical professionals and integrating advanced simulation technologies to improve Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
This funding, set to span the next five years, is part of broader efforts to overhaul the country’s health infrastructure and reduce reliance on medical services abroad, as well as to curb the ongoing brain drain affecting the nation’s health workforce.
Chairman of TetFund’s Board of Trustees and former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, disclosed these plans during the inauguration of several projects worth N5 billion at the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State, on Tuesday.
Masari noted that despite economic fluctuations posing challenges to timely project completion, the Federal Government remains committed to expanding access to quality higher education and addressing Nigeria’s skills gap. He highlighted that the Federal Government had recently approved four new specialised universities, including the Federal University of Technology, Babura, established in 2021.
According to Masari, the university initially received a take-off grant of N4 billion to support its foundation as a hub for technological education in the North-West. In 2022, an additional N3 billion was allocated under TetFund’s Special High Impact Intervention scheme to further develop infrastructure.
From 2021 to date, TetFund has committed over N11.36 billion to the institution across various intervention programmes, with the university reportedly accessing around 75.4% of those funds so far.
Speaking at the event, TetFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echeno, described the swift completion of the projects as commendable. Represented by his advisor on technical matters, Malam Buhari Mikhail, Echeno urged the university management to prioritise regular maintenance to ensure the longevity of the new facilities. He reaffirmed TetFund’s dedication to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s vision for revitalising Nigeria’s education sector.
Professor Ignatius Akhakhia Onimawo, Pro-Chancellor of the university, praised TetFund’s interventions for transforming infrastructure and enhancing teaching and learning in higher institutions nationwide. However, he appealed for urgent government support to resolve the university’s ongoing energy supply challenges.
Facilities unveiled during the commissioning included the Communication and Information Technology Complex, an Engineering Workshop, lecture theatres, an academic block, a library, and departmental offices, among others.
Similar TetFund-funded projects were also commissioned at Sule Lamido University in Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
