The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) has allocated a sum of N110 billion to improve training of medical personnel and stimulate cutting-edge simulation technology to enhance healthcare development in the country.

The strategic investment in medical training will be maintained over the next five years as part of a broader effort to revitalise the health sector in Nigeria.

TetFund Chairman, Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, revealed the new high-impact intervention is intended to reduce medical tourism and stem the tide of brain drain among Nigerian health professionals.

Masari spoke at the commissioning of N5 billion worth of TetFund-funded projects at the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State, on Tuesday.

Masari, a former Governor of Katsina State, hinted that the government is fully aware that the process of completing capital projects is never without challenges, particularly in an environment like ours, where economic volatility often threatens the timely execution of projects.

To widen access to quality university education and address the growing skills gap in the country, Masari said the Federal Government approved the establishment of four new specialized universities, including the Federal University of Technology, Babura.

He said, “Following its establishment in 2021 and in alignment with its vision to evolve as a key centre for technological education and innovation in the North-West geo-political zone, the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), approved a ₦4 billion (Four Billion Naira) take-off grant for the University.

“Furthermore, to consolidate its foundational infrastructure and underscore the strategic importance of the institution, an additional ₦3 billion (Three Billion Naira) was provided in 2022 under the Special High Impact Intervention.

“From 2021 to date, TETFund has allocated a total of ₦11,364,614,309 to the University for infrastructure-related interventions, under Annual, Special, Zonal, and Special High Impact intervention lines. Of this total, the University has accessed approximately 75.4%, which is an encouraging development.”

The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sonny Echeno, described the early delivery of the projects as a worthy accomplishment. He urged the university management to ensure constant maintenance of the projects to avert early dilapidation.

Represented by Malam Buhari Mikhail, Advisor on Technical Matters, Echeno pledged the fund’s commitment to sustain President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope for improved education development.

Pro-Chancellor, Professor Ignatius Akhakhia Onimawo, said TetFund’s intervention has revived infrastructural decay and advanced the general quality of learning and teaching in Nigerian higher education.

Professor Onimawo, however, appealed to the Federal Government to rescue the university from a lack of a stable source of energy supply.

Projects commissioned include Communication and Information Technology Complex, Engineering Workshop Complex, Deanery and Lecture halls, Academic building, Library building, and Departmental building, among others.

Similar TetFund projects were commissioned at Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa state.