The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Aderemi Oseni (APC, Oyo) during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The motion, titled “Need to Upgrade First-Generation Universities and Investigate the Quality and Standards of TETFUND Projects Across Federal Universities in Nigeria,” received overwhelming support from lawmakers.

Oseni noted that the first-generation universities, established in the early 1960s, once represented the pinnacle of academic excellence, boasting world-class facilities, highly qualified lecturers, and an environment that attracted global recognition.

However, decades of neglect, inadequate funding, and infrastructural decay have eroded their once-enviable status.

He lamented that lecture halls, hostels, and auditoriums in these universities have deteriorated. In contrast, once vibrant facilities such as the university zoos—formerly tourist attractions—are now abandoned or non-existent.

The lawmaker further expressed concern over the poor quality of Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention projects, alleging that many recently completed projects are already showing signs of decay, unlike structures built over six decades ago.

In response, the House resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the quality and standard of TETFund projects executed in federal universities to ensure value for money and accountability in the use of public funds.

Lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance, the National Universities Commission, TETFund, and development partners to collaborate on modalities for rehabilitating and upgrading first-generation universities.

Additionally, the House mandated its Committees on University Education, TETFund, and other relevant bodies to investigate completed and ongoing projects in tertiary institutions across the country, ensure compliance with standards, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

PUNCH Online reports that the universities, including ABU, UI, UNN, and others are Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious Federal institutions, mostly established in the early 1960s around the time of independence.

They were initially the benchmark for academic quality in Africa, attracting international scholars and students.

The motion directly references the fact that these institutions have suffered “decades of neglect, poor funding, and infrastructural decay.”

This continuous decline has led to the loss of their “once enviable status” and has diminished their global standing and ability to compete internationally.

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No less than 400 indigent students from Southern Kaduna have benefitted from the Marshall Katung Foundation which awarded N100,000 each to support their education across the various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The Marshall Katung Foundation, established by Senator Katung, had over the years sponsored youth empowerment and scholarship programmes across Southern Kaduna.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on Saturday in Kafanchan, the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations, Elder Bature Likoro, who represented the founder who also doubles as the sitting Senator representing Kaduna South, Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung, said the initiative was borne out of the Senator’s passion for human capital development.

“Senator Katung believes education remains the strongest tool for social change and poverty reduction,” Likoro said.

“This scholarship is a deliberate effort to ensure no brilliant student drops out of school because of financial challenges.”

He added that the scheme would be sustained annual and expanded to reach more deserving students across the senatorial district.

The Chairperson of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, Barrister Gloria Ballason disclosed that 3,125 students applied for the award, out of which 400 were selected after a rigorous screening process.

“We ensured transparency and fairness throughout the selection,” Ballason said.

“Only genuinely indigent students made the final list.”

Also, the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Edward Auta, urged the government and well-meaning Nigerians to “invest more in educational support programmes to reduce the burden on struggling families.”

Delivering a lecture on “Mainstreaming STEM Education for National Development,” Prof. John La’ah of the Southern Kaduna Professors Forum stressed that “early investment in science and technology education is key to Nigeria’s development.”

Two beneficiaries, Zingina Precious Samuel and Omega Enoch Alajibi, described the support as “a lifeline” and thanked the Senator “for restoring hope to poor students.”