Ogun spends N21.6bn on tertiary institutions
Ogun Government said on Saturday that it had committed N21.6bn to subvention to its tertiary institutions in the last three years.
“We have given due attention to tertiary education. An average of N600m is paid monthly to our tertiary institutions as subvention.
“This amounts to over N21.6bn in the last three years,” Gov. Ibikunle Amosun said at a stakeholders’ forum in Abeokuta.
He added that his administration had also drastically reduced the fees payable in the nine state-owned tertiary institutions thereby making higher education affordable to all.
Amosun said the government had also purchased 54-seater TATA Buses, Hilux Patrol Vehicles, Ambulances and 18-seater buses for the two state universities and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
“Our highly successful cashless collection policy has generated considerable additional revenue which is being re-invested directly by the institutions,” the governor said.
He added that the government had also spent N3.25bn on the purchase of textbooks and instructional materials which were distributed freely to pupils in public primary and secondary schools.
He noted that the free education initiative of the government had resulted in a steady increase in student enrolment.
Amosun said the government had completed the construction of 15 out of 28 model schools it planned to accommodate the growing population of students.
“Each school has full boarding facilities and a carrying capacity of 1,000 students.
“These schools are expected to commence academic activities in September 2014,” he said.
He explained that government’s huge investment in the education sector was part of its rebuilding agenda.