The Federal Government has unveiled a major intervention plan worth over ₦250 billion to address the growing accommodation crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the development in Abuja on Wednesday during the inauguration of governing boards, rectors and principal officers of several federal education agencies and institutions.
FG targets hostel shortages nationwide
Alausa said the intervention, approved under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, would support the construction and expansion of hostel facilities across federal tertiary institutions.
According to him, at least 50 institutions will receive ₦2 billion each to build student hostels with a minimum capacity of 500 bed spaces per project.
“We are spending ₦2 billion each to build hostel accommodation in at least 50 tertiary institutions,” the minister said.
“The ₦2 billion will deliver 500 bed spaces to each of these institutions. These funds have been mobilised via TETFund.”
He described the initiative as the largest single-year investment in student accommodation infrastructure in Nigeria’s history.
Additional ₦80bn planned through PPP
The minister further disclosed that another ₦80 billion would be invested through Public Private Partnerships across 24 federal tertiary institutions.
According to him, the arrangement will provide between 1,200 and 1,500 bed spaces per institution.
“TETFund will come up with one billion in counterpart funding and the rest will come up with three billion. So, total four billion per institution,” he explained.
The projects are expected to ease pressure on existing hostel facilities and improve student welfare nationwide.
Alausa charges education leaders
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Alausa urged the newly appointed board members and institutional heads to prioritise transparency, accountability and innovation.
He said the government’s education reforms are focused on expanding access, improving quality, integrating technology and aligning education with national development goals.
“I urge you to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he said.
“Your mandate is clear, build strong academic programmes, invest in faculty development, promote impactful and solution-oriented research, ensure student welfare, and foster strategic partnerships.”
New appointments announced
Among those inaugurated were Professor Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Modupe Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO), and Shofoyeke David as Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration.
Others include Dr Bongfa Bonfa as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nyak-Shendam, Plateau State, and Professor Tijani Kalli as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.