The Federal Government has disbursed ₦38.93bn to 166 public tertiary institutions across Nigeria under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund to address infrastructure deficits and improve teaching and learning facilities.
The intervention covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education, with universities receiving the largest share of the allocation.
The Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Head of Media, Efe Ovuakporie. It said the funds would support approved projects in beneficiary institutions.
According to the ministry, universities have been allocated ₦28.5bn, while polytechnics would receive ₦5.8bn and colleges of education ₦4.7bn.
The figures place universities at the centre of the intervention, reflecting their larger share of the announced funding.
Universities Receive Largest Share Of Funding
An analysis of the allocations by PUNCH Online showed that universities would receive approximately 73.2 per cent of the announced ₦38.93bn intervention. Polytechnics would account for about 14.9 per cent, while colleges of education would receive approximately 12.1 per cent.
The ministry said the intervention forms part of the government’s efforts to tackle longstanding infrastructure challenges in public tertiary institutions and support the implementation of agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the needs of public universities and support the implementation of agreed measures under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities,” the statement said.
Fund Targets Infrastructure Deficits
The Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund is designed to support infrastructure improvements and other identified institutional needs, particularly in public universities, where inadequate facilities have remained a recurring concern in negotiations between the government and academic unions.
The ministry said the latest disbursement would allow beneficiary institutions to begin new projects or continue previously approved interventions aimed at improving their operational capacity.
“The funds are expected to enable beneficiary institutions to commence or advance approved projects addressing critical infrastructure and other identified institutional needs, with the overall objective of strengthening the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria,” it added.
FG Calls For Accountability, Coordination
The Federal Government also stressed the importance of coordination among the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Education and beneficiary institutions to ensure that the intervention delivers measurable results.
The ministry said effective collaboration would help translate the funding into improved infrastructure, stronger institutional capacity and better learning conditions for students and staff.
The impact of the intervention will depend on how institutions deploy the funds, complete approved projects and address their most pressing infrastructure needs.
The latest disbursement adds to government efforts to improve facilities across Nigeria’s public tertiary education system, although the ministry’s statement did not provide institution-by-institution allocations or a detailed list of projects covered by the release.
