FG to Disburse N1.3 Trillion to Public Universities

in Minna President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the Federal Government has made provision for the disbursement of N1.3 trillion to public universities across the country for six years.

According to Jonathan who made this known during the 24th Convocation ceremony of Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna stated that the money is to improve the quality of the universities with regards to infrastructural and personnel developments and also to improve teaching and learning facilities. The President, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, said only good and high standard of education will assure of a more prosperous Nigeria.

He called on the need to imbibe the culture of peace, harmony, constructive criticism and conflict resolutions in the universities in order to avoid incessant disruptions of the academic calendar, pointing out that returning to the October to June system will make room for a more productive system.

Jonathan said his administration has worked towards the expansion of access to higher education to carter for the needs of the large number of students seeking admission into public universities.

“Between 2011 and 2013, we established 12 new federal universities in states where they did not previously exist, bringing university education closer to citizens in those states. In the last four years, the synergy between the federal government and the private sector has yielded formidable results evidenced by the licensing of 16 more private universities which have been properly established and have made good progress.”

He further said the Universities of Technology in the country are expected to play the leading role in proffering solutions to the new challenges in line of the 25th century which include global warming and its consequences, food security issues, human security, health and low resource agriculture.

He congratulated the graduates for the completion of their programmes in the institution, adding that he is confident that they will make pragmatic contributions to the prosperity of the nation.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of FUT, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji said the graduating students are part of the university major milestones, adding that they are brands that distinguished the institution as a veritable university of technology.

He urged the graduands to dream big as they set out in life, urging them to use the basic entrepreneurial skills that have been instilled in them.

3,490 students graduated in the 2013/2015 academic session; out of which 2,903 were First degree graduands, 105 Post Graduate Diplomas, 453 Masters graduates and 29 Doctor of Philosophy graduates. Of the First degree category, there are 34 graduands having First class, 1,190 with Second class Upper Division, 811 Second Class Lower Division, 1,363 Third Class and 648 Pass.