Nigeria TV Info 

FG Approves N2bn Each as Take-off Grants for Epe Varsity, Tinubu Polytechnic

The Federal Government has approved N2 billion each as take-off grants for the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, to support their early operations and development.

The announcement was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the inauguration of principal officers for the newly established institutions in Abuja. The funding is expected to help the institutions build foundational infrastructure, administrative structures, and academic programmes as they begin operations.

At the ceremony, Prof. Nosiru Onibon was inaugurated as the pioneer rector of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic, while Prof. Adeola Oshikoya assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe. The minister also presented certificates of appointment to other key officials to strengthen governance and leadership in the institutions.

Alausa explained that the establishment of the two institutions forms part of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader strategy to expand access to quality tertiary education and boost national capacity in science, technology and innovation. According to him, the government intends for the institutions to become centres of excellence capable of addressing major challenges such as food security, public health, climate change, renewable energy and technological advancement.

He noted that the strategic locations of the institutions—Epe in Lagos State and Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory—were chosen to leverage regional economic potential and human capital. The minister urged the newly appointed leaders to lay a strong foundation that would guide the institutions’ growth and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s educational development.

The appointees, in their response, pledged to work diligently to strengthen the institutions and ensure they deliver quality education, research and innovation that will contribute to national development.