FG to upgrade engineering facilities in 12 universities

The Federal Government has approved a N48 billion intervention to rehabilitate engineering infrastructure and supply modern, industry-relevant equipment in 12 federal and state universities nationwide. The funding, to be implemented through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will be used to rehabilitate dilapidated engineering workshops and procure modern, industry-grade equipment, as part of a high-impact […]

The Federal Government has approved a N48 billion intervention to rehabilitate engineering infrastructure and supply modern, industry-relevant equipment in 12 federal and state universities nationwide.

The funding, to be implemented through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will be used to rehabilitate dilapidated engineering workshops and procure modern, industry-grade equipment, as part of a high-impact strategy to strengthen practical training in Nigerian universities.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the approval in Abuja on Monday at the inauguration of the Implementation Committee for TETFund’s Special High-Impact Intervention Projects.

He said the initiative targets engineering and technology faculties in federal universities of technology and selected conventional universities.

The beneficiary universities are Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State; African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State; Nigeria Army University, Biu; Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State; Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto State and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.

Others are Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Enugu State; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State; Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State and University of Ilesha, Osun State.

Alausa clarified that the N4 billion allocation is separate from other TETFund interventions, noting that an additional N20 billion has already been earmarked in the 2026 spending guidelines to upgrade engineering workshops in other universities nationwide.

Describing the intervention as a national investment, the minister said the goal was to produce globally competitive engineers, innovators and industrial leaders while restoring confidence in Nigeria’s engineering education ecosystem.

He added that funds would be used to either upgrade existing facilities or construct new workshops where gaps exist.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stressed that accountability and monitoring would determine the project’s success, warning that funding alone would not deliver results.

TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono said the intervention was part of broader reforms to reposition tertiary institutions, while committee chairman and Nigerian Society of Engineers president, Nigerian Society of Engineers Ali Rabiu, pledged strict oversight to ensure value for money and measurable outcomes.