The North Central region must leverage its vast agricultural, mineral and energy resources to create jobs, drive innovation and achieve sustainable development, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has said.
Idris made the call on Thursday at the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he urged universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to align their programmes and research with the region’s economic needs.
He said tertiary institutions must do more than produce graduates, stressing that they should train the scientists, engineers, agricultural experts, technicians and entrepreneurs needed to transform the region’s resources into viable businesses and employment opportunities.
According to the minister, the North Central’s vast landmass, agricultural potential, mineral deposits and strategic location offer significant opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, mining, energy, manufacturing, tourism and services.
He identified the region’s specific needs as improved seeds, irrigation, mechanisation, food storage, responsible mineral extraction, local value addition, transportation, urban planning and environmental management.
Idris also highlighted the Federal Government’s 2026 TETFund intervention allocations of approximately ₦2.53 billion for each public university, ₦1.87 billion for each polytechnic and ₦2.06 billion for each college of education.
He said the funding should translate into better-equipped laboratories, modern libraries, improved lecture halls and stronger research capacity, rather than remain mere budgetary figures.
He cited the recently commissioned School of Science Complex at the Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga, as an example of how TETFund investments could strengthen institutions and improve science-teacher training.
However, the minister said the real test of investment was what happened inside the buildings.
He challenged institutions to produce graduates with relevant skills, solve practical problems in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy and technology, commercialise research and prepare young people not only to seek jobs but also to create value and employ others.
He called for deeper partnerships between tertiary institutions and the private sector, saying industry should participate in curriculum development, research, technical training and innovation rather than remain an occasional presence on campuses.
The minister further noted that education funding through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, alongside expanded technical, vocational, digital-skills and entrepreneurship programmes, was intended to widen access and prepare Nigerian youths for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies.
He described education as both an economic investment and a tool for national security, arguing that young Nigerians with quality education, useful skills and genuine opportunities would be less vulnerable to criminality, extremism and hopelessness.
Idris urged the town hall to produce practical priorities, clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes while called on TETFund to strengthen transparency, monitoring and accountability so Nigerians could see the value created by every naira invested in tertiary education.
