- President Tinubu reaffirms a commitment to prioritizing tertiary education to drive economic and technological development in Nigeria
- New facilities at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Tatari Ali Polytechnic, funded by TETFund, aim to enhance academic standards
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritize tertiary education to produce globally competitive educational institutions to drive economic and technological development in Nigeria.
President Tinubu made this statement while commissioning six new building projects worth over N873.666 million at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) in Bauchi State. These new facilities include buildings for the Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Management Technology at ATBU Bauchi and a lecture theatre, as well as laboratories in ATAP. These projects were constructed and equipped by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under its 2021/2022 merged intervention programs.
Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of education in the socio-economic development of nations. He stated that the government’s commitment to education development is one of the core priorities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. The new facilities are expected to enhance teaching and learning, raising academic standards.
President Tinubu assured that the government would continue to invest in training and research to improve academic performance and enhance teaching and learning. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to address challenges in the tertiary education sector to ensure a smooth academic session.
He also emphasized that TETFund would continue its interventions by providing infrastructure in all tertiary institutions to create a conducive learning environment. Additionally, President Tinubu announced the approval of an upward review of the Education Tax (EDT) to 3% effective from September 2023. This decision is expected to contribute significantly to improved funding in the education sector and the development of public tertiary institutions.
President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to making Nigerian educational institutions globally competitive to support the country’s economic and technological advancement.
The Minister also commissioned three projects at the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi, emphasizing the importance of using these facilities for the educational and vocational development of students.