The Federal Government has released N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions nationwide under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund to tackle long-standing infrastructure gaps and upgrade teaching and learning facilities, the Federal Ministry of Finance said. The allocation covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education, with universities receiving the largest share of the intervention.
According to the ministry, universities account for N28.5 billion of the total, representing approximately 73.2 per cent of the disbursement. Polytechnics received N5.8 billion, or about 14.9 per cent, while colleges of education were allocated N4.7 billion, equivalent to roughly 12.1 per cent. The ministry said the funds would support approved projects in beneficiary institutions aimed at commencing new initiatives or advancing previously approved interventions.
The intervention forms part of the Federal Government's efforts to address infrastructure challenges in public tertiary education and support the implementation of agreements reached between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the ministry explained. The Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund is designed to tackle inadequate facilities that have remained a recurring concern in negotiations between the government and academic unions.
The government emphasised the need for coordination among the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Education and beneficiary institutions to ensure the released funds produce measurable improvements in infrastructure, institutional capacity and learning conditions. The ministry said effective collaboration would be necessary to translate the financial intervention into tangible gains for tertiary education quality across Nigeria.
For students and educational institutions, this funding means access to improved facilities and infrastructure that should enhance the quality of teaching and learning in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.