…Universities Corner ₦28.5bn As Polytechnics, Colleges Share ₦10.5bn
… Revitalisation Fund Targets Critical Infrastructure Gaps Across Public Institutions
….Disbursement Linked To Implementation Of FG-ASUU Agreement
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has released ₦38.93bn to 166 public tertiary institutions across Nigeria in a fresh intervention aimed at tackling infrastructure deficits and improving teaching and learning conditions in the country’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The allocation, announced by the Federal Ministry of Finance, gives universities the largest share of the fund, with ₦28.5bn earmarked for 79 institutions, while 46 polytechnics will receive ₦5.8bn and 41 colleges of education will get ₦4.7bn.
The disbursement comes under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund, an intervention designed to address critical infrastructure gaps and other identified needs in public tertiary institutions.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of Media of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, the funding is also intended to support the implementation of agreed measures under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Ovuakporie said the funds were expected to enable beneficiary institutions to commence new projects or continue approved ones aimed at improving their infrastructure and addressing pressing institutional challenges.
She stressed the importance of effective coordination among relevant government agencies and the beneficiary institutions to ensure that the intervention delivers measurable improvements in the education sector.
“The effective coordination among relevant agencies and beneficiary institutions is essential to ensuring that the funds translate into tangible improvements in educational infrastructure,” she said.
A breakdown of the allocation shows that universities will receive approximately 73 per cent of the total disbursement, reflecting their dominant share of the funding package.
Polytechnics account for approximately 15 per cent, while colleges of education will receive about 12 per cent.
The allocation places the bulk of the intervention in universities, although the other categories of institutions are also expected to benefit from the funding to address infrastructure and other approved needs.
However, the impact of the disbursement will depend on how effectively the funds are deployed, the timely execution of approved projects and the ability of the institutions to translate the financial intervention into better learning environments for students and improved working conditions for staff.
The latest release also raises expectations that the beneficiary institutions will demonstrate transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the funds, particularly as public universities and other tertiary institutions continue to face demands for improved facilities and better educational outcomes.
The ministry advised members of the public seeking information on the beneficiary institutions and their respective allocations to visit its official website at www.finance.gov.ng.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the intervention covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education, bringing the total number of beneficiary public tertiary institutions to 166
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