The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday launched an N8.5 billion public-private partnership (PPP) project aimed at transforming Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, into a National Centre of Excellence.

SolaceBase reports that the project involves the development and procurement of 18 critical infrastructure and assets as well as the renovation of 15 additional facilities in Unity College.

The groundbreaking and launching ceremony, held at the school premises on Monday, forms part of the federal government’s efforts to address infrastructural gaps in public schools through collaboration with the private sector.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and represents a strategic effort to improve learning environments across federal institutions.

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She explained that the project, valued at over N8 billion, would significantly improve both the physical and academic landscape of the college.

According to her, the intervention will include the construction of key facilities such as a skill acquisition and entrepreneurship centre, modern hostels, staff quarters, a health centre and other essential infrastructure, alongside the renovation of several academic and support facilities.

“The initiative is not just about infrastructure alone; it is about impact,” she said.

Professor Ahmad noted that increasing demand for quality education has placed pressure on existing facilities, making it necessary for the ministry to adopt innovative financing models such as PPP to bridge infrastructural deficits.

She said the federal government oversees nearly 120 unity colleges across the country and cannot single-handedly fund large-scale infrastructure projects in all of them.

“This PPP land-swap model demonstrates the federal government’s resolve to leverage private sector efficiency, ensure optimal use of public assets and deliver value for money,” she added.

The minister stressed that the land earmarked for the project had remained undeveloped since the establishment of the college and would now be utilised to improve educational infrastructure.

She said the transformation of FGC Kano was deliberate, noting that the institution plays a vital role in promoting national unity, excellence and inclusivity.

Ahmad assured stakeholders that the ministry had established mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and proper oversight in the execution of the project.

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Representing the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, expressed the state government’s support for the initiative.

He said the project would help optimise land assets that had remained unused for years while also delivering value to the government and surrounding communities.

Yusuf described the initiative as a globally recognised approach to utilising dormant public land for developmental purposes.

“We are indeed delighted that for the first time the landed asset that has been lying fallow for years will be optimised in a way that properly captures the value of land in Kano State,” he said.

He also urged the project promoters to ensure effective stakeholder engagement in order to clearly communicate the benefits of the project and build public support.

“We call on the project promoter to do its best in providing quality infrastructure to FGC Kano in a way that the project will serve as a reference point for other PPP projects across Nigeria,” he added.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Pluck Global Nigeria Limited, the private partner in the project, Musa Diktali, said the development was part of efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps in public institutions through collaboration between government and investors.

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He explained that the project would cost over N8.5 billion and is expected to be completed within 18 months.

According to him, the PPP arrangement allows private investors to finance infrastructure projects while the government provides land as part of the partnership agreement.

“As you know, the government alone cannot fund infrastructure, so private investors need to come in and support the development of critical infrastructure,” he said.

He added that the partnership would not only benefit students of the college but also other stakeholders in the education sector.

The event was attended by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, representatives of the Kano State Government, school management, alumni members, traditional rulers and other stakeholders