By Bisi Bamishe
Federal Government has allocated N47 billion to support Universities of Agriculture and medical schools across Nigeria.
The allocation aims to boost agricultural innovation and healthcare training in the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, revealed this during a meeting with Pro-Chancellors of federal universities in Abuja on Tuesday.
The breakdown of the allocation includes N30 billion for agricultural universities and N17 billion for 18 medical schools.
Alausa explained that the N30 billion allocated to agricultural universities would be used to establish mechanised farms, with each university receiving N1 billion.
He emphasised that these funds would contribute significantly to improving food security nationwide.
“Every university with a faculty of agriculture will be required to set up mechanised farming and livestock production.
“We are putting aside N30 billion for this initiative. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s priority on food security.
“We want you to create opportunities for the future using your position and power,” he said.
The Minister also disclosed that 18 medical schools would receive N17 billion to train healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses.
“This funding aims to strengthen Nigeria’s medical workforce, focusing on high-impact projects for medical education.
“We’ve identified N17 billion for special high-impact projects with TETFund.
“This will directly support the training of doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and nurses across 18 universities,” Alausa added.
Alausa further expressed concern about some specialised universities offering programmes outside their core mandates.
He pointed out that some Universities of Agriculture were offering courses in accounting, while Universities of Technology were running insurance programmes, a trend he considered a deviation from their intended focus.
The Minister highlighted the growing demand for skilled workers in emerging technologies, citing over 1 million job opportunities, including 300,000 jobs in cloud computing, 300,000 in machine learning and AI, and 250,000 in natural language processing.
Alausa urged university Governing Councils and management to collaborate effectively with respect and dignity.
“While councils are not involved in the daily operations of the universities, they are responsible for robust supervision and oversight.
“The ministry will support you to create an enabling environment for universities to function effectively,” he said.
He also advised that budgets and procurement processes should be approved and supervised by university councils in line with established rules.
Yayale Ahmed, Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities and Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, noted that the event provided an opportunity for Pro-Chancellors to reflect on their roles.
He also emphasised that the gathering would allow them to share innovative ideas and forge strategies to enhance the governance and management of universities. (NAN)
