The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the release of N4 billion each to 12 selected universities to rehabilitate engineering workshops and procure modern training equipment, in a move aimed at strengthening technical and practical education nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Implementation Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Special High-Impact Intervention Projects.

He said the intervention targets faculties of engineering and technology in Federal Universities of Technology as well as conventional universities, with a focus on revamping obsolete facilities and aligning training with current industry demands.

Beneficiary institutions include Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Babura, Federal University of Technology Ikot-Abasi, Federal University of Technology Owerri, and the Nigerian Army University Biu.

Others are the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Shehu Shagari University of Education, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and the University of Ilesha.

Alausa explained that the funds would be used to upgrade existing facilities or construct new engineering workshops where gaps exist, adding that the programme is being implemented through Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

According to him, the special intervention is designed to strengthen hands-on training, close the gap between theory and practice, and improve graduate employability in critical engineering fields.

He said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises skills development, innovation, and economic diversification.

“The High-Impact Intervention Project is a strategic initiative aimed at upgrading laboratories, workshops and research facilities, positioning our institutions as hubs of innovation and practical problem-solving,” the minister said.

He, however, warned that funding alone would not guarantee success, stressing that effective implementation, transparency, strict adherence to standards, and accountability were critical to achieving results.

Alausa said the committee was mandated to monitor project execution, ensure compliance with approved specifications and timelines, evaluate outcomes, identify challenges, and submit objective reports to guide policy decisions.

He added that an additional N20 billion had been provided in the 2026 TETFund guidelines to further upgrade engineering facilities in other selected institutions across the country.

The minister also directed the committee to submit periodic reports and recommend sanctions against institutions found to be non-compliant.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, thanked President Tinubu for approving reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Echono described the inauguration as part of broader initiatives endorsed by the President to strengthen teaching, learning, and infrastructure in universities and other tertiary institutions.

He also commended the National Assembly of Nigeria for supporting efforts to restore first- and second-generation universities to global standards.

Speaking on behalf of committee members, Ali Rabiu, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and chairman of the committee, pledged the group’s commitment to the successful execution of the project.

Rabiu described the assignment as a distinct honour and assured that the committee would ensure value for money and meaningful impact in strengthening engineering education across Nigerian universities.