The Federal Government has sanctioned the release of N48 billion for the enhancement of 12 Faculties of Engineering and Technology in Federal Universities of Technology and other conventional institutions.

The beneficiary institutions, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country, consist of federal and state-owned universities.

Inaugurating the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee on TETFund High Impact Intervention Projects in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative was to ensure transparency, accountability and strict adherence to project timelines in the execution of the interventions.

The 12 beneficiary tertiary institutions include: Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State; African Aviation University, Abuja; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State; Nigeria Army University Biu, Borno State; Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State; Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto State and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.

Others are Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Enugu State; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State; Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, and University of llesha, Osun State.

Speaking at the event, Alausa explained that the project, being executed in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aims to transform universities into hubs of practical training, applied research, innovation, and solution-driven learning, moving them away from a predominantly theory-based approach.

The Guardian reports that the committee is headed by the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, among other scholars.

Alausa decried the disconnect between classroom theory and practical skills among engineering and technology graduates, noting that this shortfall reduces their employability, undermines industry confidence, and hampers Nigeria’s ability to compete effectively in the global technology arena.

The minister also clarified that the intervention was separate from other allocations captured under TETFund’s 2026 spending guidelines, which include about N20 billion for the upgrade of engineering workshops in selected universities.

Explaining the committee’s mandate, Alausa said it would monitor the rehabilitation and equipping of engineering and technology workshops, ensure compliance with approved standards, recommend new workshop construction where necessary, and oversee the utilisation of funds in line with procurement laws and transparency principles.

The committee would also maintain digital project records, submit periodic reports and recommend sanctions for non-compliance.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the intervention was strategic to the country’s aspirations for industrialisation, innovation and sustainable economic growth.

She stressed that funding alone was not enough to guarantee impact, noting that effective implementation, strict adherence to standards, transparency and accountability were critical.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, commended the initiative and acknowledged the role of the President and the National Assembly in mandating deliberate efforts to restore Nigerian universities to global competitiveness.

He expressed confidence that the committee, made up of seasoned professionals and technocrats, would identify needs, specify priorities, monitor implementation and ensure prudent utilisation of allocated funds.

Responding, chairman of the panel, Rabiu, lauded the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention, noting that strengthening practical training and upgrading critical infrastructure in engineering and technology faculties would significantly enhance the quality of graduates and boost the nation’s industrial growth.

Also, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for its Student Loan Application Portal in response to a surge in public awareness and growing demand nationwide.

This comes as over N183 billion has been disbursed to 983,706 student beneficiaries across 265 institutions.

A statement by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, yesterday, said the decision followed an earlier notice informing the public of its 27 February 27, 2026 deadline to close the loan portal.

Oluwatuyi said the agency has approved additional days to ensure all eligible students have an adequate opportunity to complete their applications, pending further management decisions and communications.

According to her, the approval was in response to strong feedback from students and key stakeholders across the federation, and in recognition of the surge in applications and inquiries.

She further stated that the extension was specifically intended to accommodate students who require additional time to complete their applications, prospective applicants who became aware of the scheme during the recent nationwide sensitisation engagements, institutions newly commencing their 2025/2026 academic session and institutions that have not yet submitted their verified student lists.

Speaking on the development, Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access.

NELFUND reiterated that institutions which have not yet commenced the 2025/2026 academic session must submit an official request for extension, accompanied by their approved academic calendar, for consideration.

It strongly encouraged students to take advantage of this window to complete their applications via the official NELFUND portal before it eventually closes.