...Benefiting Institutions To Get #4Billion Each To Boost Engineering Infrastructure
The Federal Government on Monday formally inaugurated the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee on the TETFund Special High Impact Intervention Project for Engineering and Technology Faculties of Federal Universities of Technology and selected conventional universities, with benefiting institutions to get #4 billions each to boost engineering infrastructure.
The committee being chaired by the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Ali Rabiu, has the following terms of reference; Monitoring the rehabilitation of existing Engineering and Technology faculty workshops across beneficiary universities;
Ensuring the proper equipping of Engineering and Technology workshops in line with approved standards; Provide recommendation for the design and construction of new Engineering and Technology workshops, where required;Monitoring execution, compliance, and utilisation of intervention funds in line with public procurement laws and transparency principles; Maintaining comprehensive digital records of projects executed; Collating and submitting periodic implementation reports to the Minister of Education, Minister of State for Education and Executive Secretary of TETFund, on a bi-monthly basis or sooner if need be.
The committee is also Charged with the responsibility of ensuring accountability, value for money, and measurable outcomes across all project sites; Recommend appropriate sanctions to non-compliant Universities, and Carry out any other function that may arise during the full implementation of the Special High Impact Intervention Project given to it by the Minister of Education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who inaugurated tbe committee, said the event marks a critical milestone in the deliberate and strategic effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to reposition Engineering and Technology education as a driver of industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable national development.
He said the eighteen benefiting universities for the pilot phase are spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, while more universities are to be included subsequently.
"It reflects our firm belief that no nation can rise above the quality of its Technical and Engineering capacity.
"This intervention is part of the broader reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Education, implemented in close collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), to ensure that our universities are not only centres of theoretical learning, but also hubs of hands-on training, applied research, innovation, and problem-solving."
He explained the rationale for intervention to the quest to fill the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical competence.
"For far too long, concerns have been raised about the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical competence among Engineering and Technology graduates.
"This gap has limited graduate employability, weakened industry confidence, and constrained Nigeria’s ability to compete in a fast-evolving global technology landscape.
"This TETFund Special High Impact Intervention Project has therefore been deliberately designed to address these gaps through modern workshops, advanced laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and industry-relevant training environments, capable of producing graduates who can design, fabricate, test, innovate, and industrialise solutions."
The minister said the initiative aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places strong emphasis on skills development, youth empowerment, industrial productivity, and economic diversification through education and technology.
"The Committee being inaugurated today is not ceremonial. It is a monitoring, evaluation, and implementation committee with a clear, results-oriented mandate," the minister said.
He described the scope of the intervention as extensive and forward-looking, including both infrastructure and equipment upgrade to modern world standands.
"These upgrades are intentionally designed to expose students to real-world industrial tools, ensuring that graduates are job-ready, innovation-ready, and globally competitive."
On the composition of the committee, the minister said the Committee brings together regulatory bodies, professional associations, technical experts, and university representatives, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NACIR), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), and representatives of the universities themselves.
"This multidisciplinary composition reflects our understanding that quality engineering education requires collaboration between Academia, Regulators, Industry, and Professional Bodies.
"Let me be very clear: this Committee carries the full confidence of the Federal Ministry of Education, but it also bears a heavy responsibility.
"You are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, diligence, and patriotism. The success or failure of this intervention will be measured not by buildings and equipment alone, but by functional workshops, competent graduates, and demonstrable improvements in practical skills acquisition.
"I urge you to work closely with university managements, TETFund officials, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely delivery, strict compliance with specifications, and sustainability of facilities. Let me reiterate that this intervention is a strategic national investment in Nigeria’s future engineers, technologists, innovators, and industrial leaders.
"I am confident that with your commitment and integrity, this programme will significantly strengthen our universities, restore confidence in Engineering and Technology education, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for technical excellence and innovation."
In her welcome address, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa'id Ahmed noted that Engineering and technology education are fundamental to Nigeria’s aspirations for industrialization, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
"No nation can achieve meaningful development without strong capacity in science, engineering, and technology.
"The High Impact Intervention Project is therefore a strategic initiative designed to upgrade laboratories, workshops, and research facilities, and to position our institutions as hubs of innovation and practical problem-solving.
"However, funding alone does not guarantee results. Impact depends on effective implementation, strict adherence to standards, transparency, and accountability. This is why this Committee is both necessary and timely.
"Your mandate is clear: to monitor project execution, ensure compliance with approved specifications and timelines, evaluate outcomes, identify challenges, and provide objective reports that will guide policy decisions. You are entrusted with safeguarding public investment and ensuring value for money. Every facility delivered under this intervention must reflect quality, sustainability, and relevance to national needs.
"I urge the Vice-Chancellors, faculty leadership, consultants, and contractors to cooperate fully with this Committee. Monitoring and evaluation are not obstacles but essential mechanisms for achieving excellence and ensuring that these projects truly transform engineering and technology education in Nigeria."
In his acceptance remarks on behalf of the committee members, the President of NSE, Engr. Ali Rabiu, who commended the ministers for their impactful initiatives in the nation's educational sector, promised to deliver on the mandate and terms of reference.
The list of institutions for the special high impact project 2026 include; North-Central; University of Abuja,FCT Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State; African Aviation University, Abuja FCT.
Northeast; Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State; Nigeria Army University Biu, Borno State.
Northwest; Federal University, Birnin Kebbi Kebbi State; Federal University of Technology, Babura Jigawa State; Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto State.
Southeast; Abia State University, Abia State; Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo State; Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Enugu State.
South-South; Rivers State University Rivers State; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
Southwest; Obafemi Awolowo University Osun State; Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State; University of Ilesha Osun State.