The Federal Government has unveiled an N8.5 billion land swap project at Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, in a move aimed at upgrading infrastructure and improving learning conditions in the institution.

The project, which is to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, will see the development of new facilities alongside the rehabilitation of existing ones within the college. Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, disclosed that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the government to address infrastructure deficits in unity schools across the country.

She noted that the project will deliver multiple modern facilities, including student hostels, an information and communication technology (ICT) centre, staff quarters, a health facility, and sports infrastructure.

According to the minister, the land swap model allows private investors to finance the project in exchange for a portion of land within the college premises, thereby reducing the financial burden on the government. She explained that the approach reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging private sector participation to improve public education infrastructure, especially in the face of limited public resources.

The project is expected to be completed within an estimated 18 months and is seen as a pilot scheme that could be replicated in other federal unity colleges nationwide.

Officials say the development will significantly enhance the academic environment at FGC Kano and provide students with access to modern facilities that support both learning and extracurricular activities. However, the initiative has generated concerns among some stakeholders, particularly alumni of the college, who have called for greater transparency in the implementation of the land swap agreement.

They urged the government to ensure that the arrangement protects the institution’s long-term interests. Despite the concerns, the Federal Government maintains that the project will boost educational standards and serve as a sustainable model for infrastructure development in Nigeria’s public schools.