The Federal Government has released ?38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions nationwide to improve infrastructure and provide better teaching and learning facilities.
The intervention under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund covers 79 universities 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education. The funds are earmarked for approved projects to address critical infrastructure shortages and other identified needs.
Mrs Efe Ovuakporie Head of Media at the Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
She said the funds would enable the beneficiary institutions to begin or continue approved projects to improve their facilities and strengthen their capacity to provide quality education.
The breakdown shows universities received the largest share ?28.5 billion allocated to 79 institutions. The 46 polytechnics are to receive a combined ?5.8 billion while 41 colleges of education have been allocated ?4.7 billion.
The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the funding and infrastructure needs of public universities and to implement measures agreed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The agreement contained in a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the university lecturers’ union provides a framework for addressing issues affecting public university education.
The latest disbursement is expected to help beneficiary institutions address infrastructure deficiencies and improve facilities for students and lecturers.
According to the Finance Ministry effective cooperation among the Federal Ministry of Finance the Federal Ministry of Education and the beneficiary institutions is necessary to ensure the money delivers measurable improvements in the education sector.
The government is expected to ensure that the funds are applied to the approved projects so that the intervention delivers the intended benefits to the institutions and their students.
The ministry advised members of the public seeking details of the beneficiary institutions and their individual allocations to visit its official website www.finance.gov.ng.