LAGOS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua has said in Bauchi that the federal government would provide adequate teaching facilities in schools to ensure quality education, according to the official News Agency of Nigeria.

    Yar'Adua gave the assurance on Sunday in a message he sent to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi.

    He said his administration had also adopted effective strategies to accelerate the growth of science and technical education in the country.

    The president, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, said his administration would continue to accord priority to science and technical education at all levels of education.

    Yar'Adua unfolded plans by his administration to introduce science and technical education innovation program in the country.

    He said the scheme would be implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, adding that the initiative was designed to encourage research competition and enhance academic excellence.

    According to him, the program will provide support to students of unity and government colleges as well as final year students of tertiary institutions to finance their projects.