The Federal Government has approved N2bn each as take-off grants for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic in Abuja and the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe in Epe, Lagos State, as part of efforts to support their early operations.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of key officials appointed to lead the two institutions.
Among those inaugurated were Nosiru Onibon, who will serve as the pioneer Rector of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja; Adeola Oshikoya, appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe; and Angela Ajala, who assumed office as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education.
Presenting the letters of appointment in Abuja, Alausa said the newly created institutions were part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to expand access to higher education and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in science, technology and innovation.
“Every child in this country deserves access to the highest quality education comparable to global standards. The appointees were carefully selected based on their record of service and achievements across Nigeria’s educational institutions,” the minister said.
He added, “To whom much is given, much is expected. You have been chosen from millions of Nigerians to serve your country, and this recognition extends to your families as well.”
According to Alausa, the administration of President Bola Tinubu is focused on building a stronger education system capable of producing the skilled manpower needed for national development.
The minister explained that the N2bn take-off grants approved for each institution would help the schools establish basic administrative and academic structures as they begin operations.
He urged the newly appointed officials to provide strong leadership that would shape the identity and long-term development of the institutions.
Alausa noted that the Federal University of Science and Technology in Epe and the polytechnic in Abuja were strategically located to harness the economic potential and human resources available in their respective regions.
According to him, the institutions are expected to focus on areas such as technological innovation, renewable energy, climate change response, disaster risk management and other research fields relevant to national development.
He also congratulated Ajala on her appointment as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, emphasising the importance of teacher education in strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
