TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says N470 billion has been provided in the 2023 budget for the revitalisation of the country’s tertiary institutions and salary enhancement.

Buhari spoke on Friday after presenting the 2023 appropriation bill of N20.5 trillion to a joint session of the national assembly.

While presenting the budget, Buhari said: “The government notes with dismay the crisis that has paralysed activities in the public universities in the country.

“We expect the staff of these institutions to show a better appreciation of the current state of affairs in the country.

“In the determined effort to resolve the issue, we have provided a total of N470 billion in the 2023 budget from our constrained resources, for revitalisation and salary enhancements in the tertiary institutions.

“It is instructive to note that government alone cannot provide the resources required for funding tertiary education.

“In most countries, the cost of education is jointly shared between the government and the people, especially at the tertiary level.

“It is imperative therefore that we introduce a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education.”

Buhari said his administration remains committed to the implementation of agreements reached with staff unions within available resources.

“This is why we have remained resolute that we will not sign any agreement that we would be unable to implement,” he added.

“Individual institutions would be encouraged to keep faith with any agreement reached in due course to ensure stability in the educational sector.

“Government is equally committed to improving the quality of education at other levels. Recently, we implemented various incentives aimed at motivating and enhancing teachers’ development in our schools.”

On the health sector, Buhari said the government intends to focus attention on equipping existing hospitals and rehabilitating infrastructure.