By Felix Khanoba
The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has approved a N250 billion intervention fund for the construction of student hostels in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of governing boards, principal officers and chief executives of some agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.
He described the initiative as the first large-scale, dedicated investment aimed at tackling the persistent shortage of student accommodation in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Alausa explained that the funding would cover no fewer than 50 tertiary institutions, with each expected to receive about N2 billion to provide at least 500 bed spaces.
In addition, he said N90 billion would be channelled through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements to develop hostels in 24 federal institutions, each with a capacity of between 1,200 and 1,500 bed spaces.
“We have several of those schools whose constructions have already started cumulatively, N250 billion in 2026 to provide student accommodation alone,” he said.
The minister further stated that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would provide N1 billion as counterpart funding for each institution, while private investors are expected to contribute approximately N4 billion.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he termed “missionary” leadership, noting that it has been instrumental in advancing reforms within the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the administration’s policy direction and investments have enhanced human capital development and repositioned education as a key driver of national transformation.
Alausa also noted that the ministry has recorded the highest budgetary allocation in the country for two consecutive years, underscoring government’s commitment to reform.
He said the hostel development plan was a response to longstanding accommodation challenges in institutions including Lagos State University and Yaba College of Technology.
The minister added that the government is focusing on reforms driven by implementation and measurable outcomes rather than policy formulation alone.
He urged the newly inaugurated board members to uphold accountability, strengthen oversight and improve the performance of their respective institutions.
Alausa also announced additional funding interventions, including N130 billion for engineering and technology workshops and N120 billion for the upgrade of medical schools across the country.
Chairman of the NBTE Governing Board, Prof. Babatunde Salako, pledged commitment to transparency, institutional strengthening and aligning education with Nigeria’s economic needs.
The list of inaugurated members are: Prof. Babatunde Salako, Chairman, Governing Board, NBTE; Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Chairman, Governing Board, National Examinations Council (NECO) and David Shofoyeke, Executive Secretary, National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).
Others are Prof. Garba Shuaib, Member, Governing Council, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State; Abdulrahman, Ahmad, Member, Governing Council, Federal College of Agriculture and Technology, Nabanje Kafur, Katsina State and Prof. Kabiru Dungurawa, Member, Governing Council, Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, Yobe State.
Also in the list are Dr Bongfa Bonfa, Rector, Federal Polytechnic N’ Yak-Shendam Plateau State; Prof. Tijani Kalli, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama and Mr Abba Goni, Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, Borno state.
Others are Mrs Aisha Halilu, Librarian, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama; Mr Bashir Zubairu, Bursar, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.
Members of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bosso campus co-sharing committee are: Prof. Idris Ali, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Education as Chairman; Dr Ayuba Mohammed, Deputy Director, Academic Planning, National University Commission (NUC) and Pastor Timothy Ademola as External Member of Council.
Others are Dr Oyeleke Olarinoye, Head of Department, Nuclear Science, FUT Minna; Prof. A.A. Aliyu, Provost, College of Health Sciences, Ibrahim Badamosi University (IBBU) Lapai, among others.
