Tinubu launches an N472 million TETFund project at the Bauchi University.On Saturday, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi’s Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Management Technology will be housed in an N472 million structure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially opened.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) funded the building’s construction and furnishings as part of its 2021–2022 integrated intervention projects.During the commissioning event, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made education development one of its top priority.
In order to ensure a smooth academic session, he emphasised that every administrative and human resource available is being used to ensure that all obstacles to higher education in the nation are removed.
The Minister further stated that in order to guarantee a supportive learning environment, TETFund will keep stepping in to provide infrastructure at all postsecondary institutions around the nation.Tuggar went on to say that in order to improve teaching and learning and to broaden the range of academic achievement, the government will keep funding training and research.
The Minister said, “It is important to also commend and appreciate the President for the commitment he has demonstrated towards the development of education since the commencement of his administration on May 29, 2023.
“Such as the introduction of the students’ loan initiative to ease access to tertiary education for indigent students, meeting personally with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to discuss the welfare of Nigerian students and recently, approving waiver of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ order on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which would pave the way for members of the union to receive part of their withheld salaries.
“These are part of conscious efforts being made by this administration to address students’ challenges and create industrial harmony between staff unions and Government.
”You would recall that in recognition of the role of TETFund in the development of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria, and in a bid to further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the Fund, the President also approved the implementation of the upward review of Education Tax (EDT) to 3 percent with effect from September 2023.
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“This, will in no small measure contribute more to the improved funding of the education sector and development of our public tertiary institutions.
“As we all know, education plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations. Therefore, the commissioning of these projects today at the university would in no small measure further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards.
“I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“It is on record that over the years, TETFund through the support of the Federal Government has performed exceptionally in the provision of physical infrastructure, support for academic staff training and development, book publication, ICT, Research and Development amongst others in public tertiary educational institutions across the country.
“I wish to assure you that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains totally committed to providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the Fund to improve on its performance.
“I am delighted to note that apart from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, other public tertiary educational institutions in Bauchi State namely: Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, Bauchi State University Gadau, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic and College of Education Azare have not been exempted from the intervention efforts of TETFund.
“In continuation of the efforts of the Federal Government through the intervention activities of TETFund, I am delighted to note that four projects valued at N472,112,546.83 would be commissioned at the University today.
“The projects are: Departmental Building (B) 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; Departmental Building (C) Under 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; Classrooms and Laboratories 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; and Academic Building for School of Management Technology 2021/2022 (merged) Annual intervention.
“It is important to note that the Fund has also sponsored 240 (two hundred and forty) lecturers for Ph.D. from this University in both foreign and local totaling N1,799,188,558.57; 13 lecturers for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions totalling N58,580,225; 19 lecturers for benchwork totaling N69,939,060.90; while 432 staff have been sponsored for Conferences Attendance locally and abroad at a total cost of N286,643,070,” The Minister stressed.
He added that “As we dedicate these structures to the Glory of God and humanity, I wish to request that the University take full advantage of these facilities and make good use of them for the educational and vocational development of our students. Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As we gather here today for this auspicious occasion, let me congratulate the Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammad A. Abdulazeez, the management staff and students of this great university for the developmental strides at the institution,” he added.
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The Minister also expressed gratitude and admiration for the work done by the TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, and his staff in carrying out the Fund’s mission to support the ongoing advancement of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, Professor M. A. Abdulazeez, Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), expressed gratitude to the TETFund for the building that would house the Faculty of Management Technology and the Faculty of Sciences.