Kabiru Haruna
In a strategic move aimed at promoting transparency and equity in the management of educational intervention funds, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has led the reallocation of ₦310,095,238.05 previously earmarked for five colleges of education that have since been converted into universities.
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The funds, which formed part of the ₦15 billion 2022 Needs Assessment allocation for public colleges of education, are now to be redistributed among 37 existing colleges of education nationwide.
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Presiding over the meeting convened to appraise the implementation status of the 2022 Needs Assessment intervention, Dr. Alausa emphasized the ministry’s commitment to responsible fund management and institutional accountability.
He clarified that the reallocation was conducted systematically to ensure that no institution is unduly deprived.
Dr. Alausa directed that the reallocated funds must be used strictly for the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing, dilapidated infrastructure rather than initiating new construction projects.
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He further urged the benefitting colleges to focus on essential amenities such as water supply and electricity, noting that the intervention is not meant to cover running costs.
“Our objective is to create a more conducive environment for learning by addressing pressing infrastructural deficits,”
Dr. Alausa stated. “We are fully committed to enhancing the quality of education and will continue to ensure that our interventions are based on fairness, equity, and measurable impact.”
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The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, in her opening remarks, underscored the Ministry’s broader infrastructure development agenda.
She noted that the Ministry is working on comprehensive mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of projects, including the promotion of a good maintenance culture through strengthened supervisory and regulatory frameworks.
Professor Ahmad reiterated the federal government’s commitment to improving funding for higher institutions and ensuring that disbursement processes are transparent and accountable.
Earlier, In his welcome address,the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumiyiwa Enitan, described the forum as a vital opportunity to share perspectives on access to the ₦15 billion fund and review the implementation of projects in line with stipulated guidelines.
He clarified that the colleges which have transitioned to universities can no longer access the fund, making reallocation to eligible colleges both timely and necessary.
The Director of Colleges of Education, Dr. U.C. Uba, provided a comprehensive overview of the fund access guidelines.
She reiterated that all beneficiary institutions must submit detailed proposals outlining how they intend to use the funds—emphasizing that the focus must remain on renovation and critical infrastructure, not new buildings.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining principles of transparency, equity, and accountability to ensure public trust in the ministry’s financial operations.
The meeting, attended by key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s college of education system, also served as an assessment forum for fund utilization and compliance with disbursement standards.
Professor Farouk Rasheed Haruna, Chairman of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education, expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Alausa, Professor Ahmad, and Mr. Enitan for what he described as a fair and inclusive process.
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He commended the ministry’s leadership for upholding justice in the handling of public resources and reaffirmed the readiness of the colleges to comply with all stipulated guidelines.
The reallocation marks a significant step in the ministry’s broader effort to revamp Nigeria’s teacher education system, ensuring that institutions remain adequately equipped to train future educators in line with national development goals.