The Nigerian Government has approved over N250 billion in intervention funding to address the student accommodation crisis across tertiary institutions in the country.
The funds will be distributed across public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of chairmen and members of boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, reappointed chief executive officers, the rector of a federal polytechnic, and principal officers of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.
Alausa said that, for the first time in the country’s history, the government is committing funding of such magnitude within a single year to expand hostel infrastructure nationwide.
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According to him, the intervention, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, will support the construction of new hostels and the expansion of existing facilities across federal institutions.
The minister said at least 50 tertiary institutions will receive N2 billion each for the construction of student hostels, with every project expected to provide a minimum of 500 bed spaces.
The funds are being channelled through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is coordinating the implementation of the projects.
“We are spending N2 billion each to build hostel accommodation in at least 50 tertiary institutions.
“The N2 billion will deliver 500 bed spaces in each of these institutions. These funds have been mobilised through TETFund,” he said.
He added that the government is also committing another N80 billion under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to construct additional hostels in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Alausa also announced additional investments, including N130 billion for engineering and technology workshops and N120 billion for the upgrading of medical schools nationwide.
At the inauguration ceremony, the minister charged the newly inaugurated board members and institutional heads to provide strategic leadership, ensure accountability, and uphold transparency in the management of public resources.
He urged them to consolidate existing gains while driving innovation and strengthening the link between policy and implementation across the education sector.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning education as a cornerstone of national development, stressing that sustained investment in infrastructure and human capital would be critical to achieving long-term transformation.
“I urge you to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“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,” the minister said.
He emphasised that the ongoing reforms are anchored on expanding access, improving quality, integrating technology, and aligning educational outcomes with national development priorities.
Speaking on behalf of those inaugurated, Prof. Babatunde Salako pledged commitment to transparency, institutional strengthening, and aligning education with Nigeria’s economic needs.
Salako was inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while Prof. Modupe Adeola Adelabu was inaugurated 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.
Also inaugurated were Bongfa Bonfa as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Nyak-Shendam, Plateau State; Prof. Tijani Kalli as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama; Mr Abba Kaka Goni as Registrar; and Mrs Aisha Halilu as Librarian of the institution.
Bashir Zubairu was also inaugurated as Bursar of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, while the Bosso Campus Co-sharing Committee will be chaired by Prof. Idris Ali.
