The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged to monitor the utilisation of the N38.93 billion revitalisation fund released to 166 tertiary institutions across Nigeria, warning that the intervention must result in measurable improvements to campus facilities and students’ learning conditions.
The association, in a statement issued by its National Headquarters and signed by its Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman, welcomed the federal government’s intervention but called for strict accountability to prevent the diversion or misuse of the funds.
The allocation covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education. Universities received N28.5 billion, polytechnics were allocated N5.8 billion, while colleges of education received N4.7 billion.
NANS said the funding could help address persistent challenges in public tertiary institutions, including dilapidated buildings, poorly equipped laboratories and workshops, and inadequate teaching facilities that undermine students’ academic experiences.
It disclosed that it would constitute a dedicated monitoring committee to track how beneficiary institutions spend the allocations, assess project implementation and determine the impact of the intervention on students.
The association added that it would engage institutional authorities, students’ union leaders and other stakeholders as part of the monitoring process, urging all beneficiary institutions to cooperate with the exercise.
NANS warned that it would pursue appropriate accountability channels where credible concerns arise over financial mismanagement, diversion of funds, abandoned projects or failure to comply with approved spending conditions.
It also called on relevant federal ministries and oversight agencies to strengthen supervision, conduct periodic assessments and ensure that institutions adhere to the terms guiding the disbursement.
The association urged vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts to ensure that projects are transparently executed and completed according to approved specifications and timelines, stressing that the money should be reflected in improved classrooms, laboratories, libraries, workshops, hostels and other essential facilities.
NANS, under the leadership of its National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, commended President Bola Tinubu for the intervention but called for sustained funding and stronger oversight to address the wider structural challenges facing public tertiary education.
It said the success of the allocation would depend on whether it produces lasting improvements for students and staff across the beneficiary institutions.
