FG approves N2bn take-off grant for army varsity
The federal government has approved N2 billion as take-off grant for the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno state.
Speaking while receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai in his office on Monday, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa, stated that the funds would be released soon when the federal government approves the disbursement of the 2018 allocations to beneficiary public tertiary institutions in the country.
“The federal executive council has approved N2billion for the establishment of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno state. I also want to congratulate the chief of army staff and the entire Nigerian Army in the tremendous successes that are being recorded in the fight against insurgency, militancy, rustling, brigandage and in the fight to keep Nigeria one.
“Congratulations for such huge successes that are being recorded and we will continue to see them record more success in their quest to keep us safe, to keep us being one,” the TETFUND boss said.
Earlier in his remarks, Lt. Gen. Buratai said that he was at TETFund with his team to thank the executive secretary for his support and goodwill towards the Nigerian Army University.
He said that the army had written to the executive secretary through the university, on some decision, which he noted might be communicated to him in respect to the establishment of the Nigerian Army University.
He added that the courtesy visit was a follow up to that, especially to inform the TETFund on the approval of N2 billion take-off grant for the university by the federal government.
He commended the agency on its interventions, which according to him have changed the landscape of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, given the level of decay and dilapidation of infrastructure in the institutions across the country in the time past.
“Your intervention has changed the educational landscape in our country. Before now, we used to have dilapidated infrastructure, obsolete equipment and even under-equipped but with the establishment of TETFund, a lot of changes are taking place now in our universities and Nigeria is moving to greater heights in terms of educational attainment,” he added
While explaining that the Nigerian Army University is a unique solution centre for science and technology as well as in military capability in terms of needed military equipment and innovation, Buratai added that the university would support the innovativeness of the military through research.
The army boss added that while awaiting the release of the N2 billion take-off grant approved by the federal government, the army has within the limits of resources available to it commenced work at the site.
He disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has undertaken an assessment of the university and that very soon the first set of students would be admitted for this year.
He assured that resources allocated to the University would be judiciously utilized for the purpose for which they are approved and added that the university would be tailored to meet the needs of the military and also develop the science and technology base of the nation.
