The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the allocation of N47 billion to support the development of universities of agriculture and medical schools across the country.
This initiative, announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a meeting with pro-chancellors of federal universities in Abuja on Tuesday, is aimed at enhancing agricultural innovation and strengthening healthcare training.
The minister revealed that N30 billion has been designated for universities of agriculture to establish mechanized farms, with each institution set to receive N1 billion.
These funds will facilitate the development of modern farming techniques and livestock production, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s priority on food security.
“Every university with a faculty of agriculture will be required to set up mechanized farming and livestock production,” Alausa said. “This initiative is part of our commitment to improving food security nationwide while equipping students with practical skills for the future.”
In addition, N17 billion has been allocated to 18 medical schools to bolster the training of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses.
The funding will support high-impact projects designed to enhance the quality of medical education and address the growing need for skilled healthcare workers.
“This funding aims to strengthen Nigeria’s medical workforce,” Alausa explained, noting that the funds were sourced from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for special high-impact projects.
The minister encouraged the pro-chancellors to leverage their leadership to ensure the success of these initiatives, emphasizing the government’s focus on empowering educational institutions to address critical national challenges.
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