Ten Nigerian varsities get N1.6bn World Bank grant

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius A. Okojie, said this in Abuja while receiving members from the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), one of the ACE institutions.Okojie said the universities received the approval after meeting the entire requirements and signed a performance contract. “By Thursday 2nd July, we received […]

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius A. Okojie, said this in Abuja while receiving members from the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), one of the ACE institutions.
Okojie said the universities received the approval after meeting the entire requirements and signed a performance contract. “By Thursday 2nd July, we received the notification of the approval of the World Bank,” he also said.ý
He said the fund was already in a dedicated account with the World Bank and that “once they receive the requirement, everyone will have access to the money by the end of this month (July), starting with about 10 per cent of it.”
Under ACE, grant awards will be made to one lead institution, with collaborating partners of up to a maximum sum of US$8 million which must be utilised in addressing specific regional development challenges.
He said the success of the project will encourage World Bank and other partners to continue with the project.
While charging the institutions to enhance motivation for other countries with the responsibility to ensure that the project doesn’t fail, he urged them not to rely solely on the $8 million that is available.
 “At the end of the exercise, 19 centre of excellences were recognised in Dakar and I’m proud to say that 10 are resident in this country.”
The ACE universities include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Jos, Bayero University, Kano, Redeemers University Mowe, Ogun State and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
In his remarks, the Vice President (Academic) of AUST, Prof. Charles Chidume, appreciated the efforts of NUC in getting the approval. He said AUST which is called Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI) is focused on material for African development.
Prof Chidume said they applied the materials to different problems and issues ranging from education, research and energy, adding that the institution was established to carter for the talented young people in the Saharan sub region whose parents cannot afford school fees.