The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has awarded a grant of N5.5 billion to 22 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to enhance infrastructure development in the institutions. ASR Africa Social Development Specialist, Edidiong Idang, disclosed that each of the 22 institutions received N250 million under the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS).
Idang noted that education is one of the three core areas of intervention for ASR Africa, with the other two being health and social development. She explained that the initiative would continue to collaborate with government and private sector institutions in Nigeria and across Africa to support education. She also mentioned that ASR Africa had donated a total of N11 billion for infrastructure and educational services to 28 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, as it believes in raising the standard of education in Africa.
Apart from UNILAG, other tertiary institutions that benefitted from the grant include Bayero University Kano, Adamawa State University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Nigerian Law School Lagos, University of Uyo, University of Jos, Federal College of Education Technology Gusau, Federal University Lokoja, Nasarawa State University, University of Port Harcourt, Federal University of Technology Minna, Uthman Dan Fodio University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Crescent University, Babcock University, Al-Qalam University, Baze University, Nigerian Defence Academy, Federal University Gashua, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
Idang further revealed that ASR Africa had been working with the National Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Niger and Ghana through infrastructure grants of $500,000 and $3 million, respectively, to increase access to education for the girl child, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities.
ASR Africa was established with an annual pledge of $100 million dedicated to health, education, and social development issues within the African continent. Idang explained that the organization focuses on infrastructure development, equipping facilities, and capacity building for researchers, healthcare practitioners, and community-level service providers. She also mentioned that ASR Africa supports the efforts of various governments in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa across its three thematic areas, providing technical and financial resources to partners.
Furthermore, Idang stated that the internal goal of ASR Africa is to be the most impactful philanthropic institution in Africa. The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) is the brainchild of African industrialist, philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu. It was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting health, education, and social development within Africa through its annual USD100 million Africa Fund for Sustainable Development and Renewal.
The grant from ASR Africa to the 22 tertiary institutions in Nigeria will go a long way in enhancing infrastructure development in the institutions, which will ultimately improve the quality of education in the country.
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