President Bola Tinubu has announced that the Federal Government allocated N940.5 billion to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the 2025 budget to strengthen manpower and infrastructure development in Nigeria’s education sector.
Tinubu made the disclosure on Saturday at the 42nd Founders’ Day and 33rd Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), where he was represented by Rakiya Iliyasu, Director of Tertiary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education. He described the allocation as a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the nation’s education system.
The president also highlighted the government’s efforts in easing financial burdens on students, revealing that over N104 billion in loans had been disbursed to more than 600,000 students across tertiary institutions under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Reaffirming his administration’s dedication to fostering a knowledge-driven society, Tinubu urged universities to strengthen collaborations with industries to ensure that research aligns with real-world challenges. “Universities must deepen collaborations with industries, aligning research with societal needs to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he emphasized.
Congratulating the graduating students, Tinubu lauded their resilience and determination, encouraging them to embrace the next phase of their lives with confidence and purpose.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUT Minna, Prof. Faruk Adamu-Kuta, described the convocation as historic, reflecting the institution’s continued growth and impact.
Meanwhile, Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, who was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Agriculture, expressed gratitude to the university, calling it a motivation to intensify his contributions to the sector. He reiterated his commitment to making education accessible across the state and urged FUT Minna to maintain its leadership in research and training.
Governor Bago also pledged to collaborate with the university on agricultural initiatives, advocating for stronger ties between the institution and the state government. To support the university’s development, he donated N100 million to the endowment fund initiated by Senator Muhammad Sani-Musa, who also contributed N200 million.
The event reinforced the federal government’s push for improved education funding and underscored the importance of partnerships in driving academic and economic progress.
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