The Federal Government has approved N4 billion for each of 12 universities to improve their engineering and technology faculties.
An additional N20 billion has also been included in the 2026 guidelines of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for similar projects in other institutions in the next phase.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced this on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of a Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee for the TETFund Special High-Impact Intervention Project.
The initiative focuses on renovating engineering and technology departments in federal universities and selected state and conventional universities across the country. In the first phase, one Federal University of Technology from each geopolitical zone was selected.
The benefiting institutions include the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Babura, Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the Nigerian Army University, Biu.
Others listed are the African Aviation University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Shehu Shagari University of Education, Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, and the University of Ilesha.
Each institution will receive N4 billion to refurbish workshops, build new structures and acquire modern equipment.
Alausa said the programme supports the government’s drive to strengthen technical skills, diversify the economy and develop human capital. He explained that the High-Impact Intervention Project is designed to upgrade laboratories, workshops and research facilities, turning universities into centres for innovation and practical solutions.
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He stressed that funding alone would not guarantee success, noting that proper execution, transparency and accountability are essential. According to him, the newly inaugurated committee has a clear mandate to monitor projects, ensure compliance with approved standards and timelines, assess outcomes and report challenges for policy decisions.
The minister added that the goal is to close the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills among graduates, which has affected employability and industry confidence over the years. He said the success of the intervention would be judged not only by new buildings and equipment, but by functional workshops, improved practical training and better-prepared graduates.
He also noted that institutions such as the University of Abuja and Obafemi Awolowo University, though not part of this specific engineering intervention, are benefiting from separate support packages.
