FCTA Commits N177bn to Provide Education Infrastructure

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The FCT Administration has committed the sum of $1,045,176,470 billion (approximately N177 billion) towards the development of infrastructure in the education sector.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, disclosed at the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities held in Jubail industrial city, Saudi Arabia.

The minister, who was represented by Minister of State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said this was inclusive of the N3.5 billion counterpart funding from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), bringing the total commitment on infrastructural development to approximately N177 billion.

He also noted that Abuja’s annual budget for the development of education had surpassed the UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent.

While highlighting the total investment in different sectors of education, the minister said a total of 21 primary and junior secondary schools were renovated completely, while a total of 30 senior secondary schools were also established.

Wike also stated that the FCT Administration had committed the sum of N14.5 billion to the completion and launch of FCT University, Abaji.

 “UNESCO generally recommends that member nations have a budgetary allocation benchmark of at least 26 per cent to education.

“This benchmark is intended to ensure that countries can adequately address needs of their education system such as teachers, training, infrastructure development and educational technology.

“It might interest my audience to know that Abuja’s annual budget for education surpasses the UNESCO benchmark,” he said.

He also affirmed that the administration has maintained a total commitment to the Abuja Learning City status as emphasised by UNESCO, adding that Abuja city has adopted a “whole school” approach system that promotes peace, security, and tolerance through knowledge, skills and global awareness.

The sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6) with the theme “Learning cities at the forefront of climate action”, focuses on strategies to promote climate action through lifelong learning. 

The conference brought together representatives from UNESCO learning cities, policy-makers, educators, researchers and other stakeholders.