The Federal Government has allocated N47 billion to support universities of agriculture and medical schools across the country.
Specifically, while universities of agriculture will receive N30 billion, with each institution getting N1 billion to establish mechanised farms, 18 medical schools will receive N17 billion to train healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses.
This comes as the Nigerian government finalises arrangements to provide startup grants for university students, aimed at supporting their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja, yesterday, at a meeting with pro-chancellors of federal universities.
Alausa emphasised that the intervention fund allocated to universities of agriculture would play a significant role in enhancing food security nationwide.
The minister noted that by supporting the institutions, the fund aimed to boost agricultural productivity, ultimately contributing to the country’s food security.
He said: “Every university that has a faculty of agriculture, we now want you to set up your own mechanised farming and livestock production. And we have put aside about N30 billion for that.
“We will give you N1billion. You will have to apply for N1 billion to set up your mechanised farming in these universities. This President, one of his first pillars in his priority area is food security.
“We want you to start using your power, your position to create opportunities for attainment. We are also working with TETFund. As I said, we are focusing on STEM.”
The minister expressed concern over the trend of specialised universities venturing into academic programmes beyond their areas of expertise.
He specifically mentioned examples where Universities of Agriculture offered courses in accounting, and universities of technology rendered insurance programmes.
The development, he lamented, was a deviation from their core mandates.
The minister stressed the need for governing councils and management of universities to collaborate, with mutual respect and dignity.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPCNFU) and Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Yayale Ahmed, said the event was an opportunity to reflect on their roles, share innovative ideas, and forge strategies to enhance management of universities.
