The Federal Government has moved to deepen Nigeria’s industrial and technical capacity with a ₦48 billion Special High Impact Intervention Project targeted at engineering and technology education across 12 universities.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday inaugurated a Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee to oversee the execution of the project, which is being funded through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Under the initiative, each beneficiary institution will receive ₦4 billion to rehabilitate and equip workshops and laboratories with modern, industry-relevant facilities. The intervention is designed to bridge the long-standing gap between theoretical instruction and hands-on technical competence in Nigerian universities.
Alausa described the project as a strategic national investment aimed at producing job-ready, innovation-driven and globally competitive graduates capable of supporting Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic diversification.
According to him, the monitoring committee is made up of seasoned engineers, industry professionals, regulators and academic representatives who will ensure transparency, strict supervision and measurable outcomes in line with best practices.
The minister said the intervention aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises skills development, youth empowerment and productivity across key sectors of the economy.
“This is not a ceremonial assignment,” Alausa said, noting that the committee’s work would focus on tangible improvements in infrastructure, training quality and graduate employability.
Beneficiary Institutions
The 12 institutions selected for the intervention include:
1. Federal University of Technology, Minna
2. African Aviation University
3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
4. Nigerian Army University Biu
5. Federal University of Technology, Babura
6. Shehu Shagari University of Education
7. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
8. Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences
9. Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi
10. Delta State University, Abraka
11. Federal University of Technology, Akure
12. University of Ilesa, Osun State.
The Federal Government expressed optimism that the intervention will significantly upgrade engineering infrastructure nationwide and strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals required to drive Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
