The Federal Government has allocated N940.5 billion to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the 2025 fiscal year, aimed at enhancing manpower and infrastructure in the education sector.
President Bola Tinubu made this announcement on Saturday at the 42nd Founders’ Day and 33rd Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
He was represented by Rakiya Iliyasu, Director of Tertiary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Tinubu highlighted that this allocation reflects his administration’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure and manpower.
He also noted that the federal government has disbursed over N104 billion in loans to more than 600,000 students across tertiary institutions through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Reaffirming his administration’s focus on education, Tinubu emphasized its role in fostering a knowledge-driven society, underlining the importance of prioritizing education through policies and funding.
He urged universities to strengthen their partnerships with industries, aligning research with societal needs to make meaningful contributions to national development.
The president congratulated the graduates for their resilience and determination and enjoined them to embrace their new chapter with confidence and purpose.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu-Kuta, described the institution’s 42nd Founders’ Day and 33rd Convocation Ceremony as historical.
He said the university had grown to become a leading institution in technological education in the country, ranking 8th on the index of best universities in Nigeria and 2nd among specialised universities.
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger expressed gratitude to the university for conferring on him a Doctorate Degree in Agriculture, saying that it served as a call to do more in the sector.
He reiterated a commitment to collaborate with individuals to make education accessible to every citizen of the state and urged the university to continue to take the lead in training and innovative research.
Bago advocated for stronger ties with the state government to ensure the institution’s sustainability through agriculture.
The governor donated N100 million to the endowment fund established by Sen. Muhammad Sani-Musa, who also donated N200 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university produced 5,816 graduates for the 2023/2024 academic session, comprising 4,955 undergraduates, 632 master’s degrees, 105 postgraduate diplomas, and 124 PhD holders.
(NAN)
