On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu declared that his administration will keep putting tertiary education first in order to guarantee that the graduates it produces are highly qualified academics who can succeed anywhere in the globe.
While giving a speech in Bauchi, the president officially opened six projects at Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) totaling more than N873.666 million.
The buildings, which are part of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund) 2021–2022 merged intervention programmes, are meant to house the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, faculty of sciences and faculty of management technology, as well as lecture halls and laboratories in ATAP.
During the commissioning event, the President, who was represented by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Federal Government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), places a high priority on education development.
He emphasised that all administrative and human resources are being used to remove any obstacles to postsecondary education in the nation in order to guarantee a successful academic year.
The President further stated that in order to guarantee a supportive learning environment, TETFund will keep stepping in to provide infrastructure at all postsecondary institutions around the nation.
Bola, In order to improve learning and teaching and to broaden the range of academic achievement, Ahmed Tinubu added that the government will keep funding training and research.
“It is crucial to also commend and appreciate the President for the commitment he has demonstrated towards the development of education since the commencement of his administration in May 29, 2023,” the President added.
In order to address the welfare of Nigerian students, he met with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and approved the waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” order on behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which would allow union members to receive some of their withheld salaries. Other examples of his remarks included the introduction of the students’ loan initiative.
“These are part of this administration’s deliberate efforts to address students’ challenges and create industrial harmony between staff unions and the government,” he said.
You may remember that the President also approved the implementation of the Education Tax (EDT) upward review to 3 percent with effect from September 2023, acknowledging the role of the TETFund in the growth of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria and seeking to further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the Fund.
The President declared, “This will contribute more, in no small measure, to the improved funding of the education sector and development of our public tertiary institutions.”
“As we all know, education is essential to a country’s socioeconomic development,” he emphasised. Thus, the institution would greatly benefit from the commissioning of these projects now, which would raise academic standards and improve teaching and learning.
The Federal Government will continue to give our educational institutions the support they need to become globally competitive for the nation’s economic and technological development, he continued. “I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.”
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He states, “Research and development, ICT, book publication, physical infrastructure provision, support for academic staff training and development, and other areas in public tertiary educational institutions across the nation have all been exceptionally well-performed by TETFund over the years with the help of the Federal Government.”
“I wish to assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains totally committed towards providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the Fund to improve on its performance,” the President continued.
In addition, he stated, “I am happy to see that the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, Bauchi State University Gadau, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, and College of Education Azare have not been exempt from the intervention efforts of TETFund, aside from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.”
“I am delighted to note that four projects valued at N472,112,546.83 would be commissioned at the University today,” he said, “in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts through the intervention activities of TETFund.”
The projects are: Classrooms and Laboratories 2017/2020 (merged) Annual Intervention; Academic Building for School of Management Technology 2021/2022 (merged) Annual Intervention; Departmental Building (B) 2017/2020 (merged) Annual Intervention; and Departmental Building (C) Under 2017/2020 (merged) Annual Intervention.
“It’s crucial to remember that the Fund has also supported 240 lecturers at this university seeking Ph.D.s from both domestic and foreign institutions, totaling N1,799,188,558.57; 13 lecturers pursuing master’s degrees from domestic and foreign institutions, totaling N58,580,225; 19 lecturers pursuing benchwork, totaling N69,939,060.90; and 432 staff members receiving sponsorships for local and international conference attendance, totaling N286,643,070,” the president emphasised.
“As we dedicate these buildings to the glory of God and humanity, I wish to request that the University make good use of these facilities for our students’ educational and career development,” he continued. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thank you.
“Let me congratulate the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad A. Abdulazeez, the Rector, the management team, and the students of this magnificent university for the developmental achievements at the institution as we assemble here today for this momentous occasion,” he continued.
“In continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts through the intervention activities of TETFund, I am delighted to note that three projects valued at N401,554,348.19 would be commissioned at the Polytechnic today,” the President stated at the ATAP.
The projects are: Merged Years 2017-2020 A 500-seat exam hall, a 300-seat exam hall, and a student housing block are the annual interventions.
It is significant to note that the Fund has also sponsored 172 Masters Degree recipients from both foreign and local institutions totaling N319,687,369.15 and 97 Ph.D. lecturers from this Polytechnic at both foreign and local institutions, totaling N785,545,942.80. Additionally, 472 staff members have received sponsorship for local and international conference attendance at a total cost of N177,743,377.60.
The President also expressed his gratitude and admiration for the work done by the TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, and his staff in carrying out the Fund’s mission to support the ongoing advancement of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
