FG Unveils N250bn Intervention To Address Student Housing Crisis In Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government has announced a major intervention exceeding N250 billion to tackle the persistent shortage of student accommodation across tertiary institutions nationwide.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the initiative on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of governing board members, agency heads, rectors, and principal officers under the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the minister, the intervention marks the largest single-year investment in hostel infrastructure in Nigeria’s history and forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.

Alausa explained that the government plans to construct and expand hostel facilities in at least 50 federal tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

“We are spending N2 billion each to build hostel accommodation in at least 50 tertiary institutions,” he said.

“The N2 billion will deliver 500 bed spaces to each of these institutions. These funds have been mobilised via TETFund.”

The minister added that the government would also deploy another N80 billion through Public-Private Partnerships aimed at delivering between 1,200 and 1,500 additional bed spaces in 24 federal tertiary institutions.

Under the arrangement, TETFund is expected to provide counterpart funding of N1 billion per institution, while private sector partners will contribute the remaining N3 billion.

Alausa noted that the broader reforms within the education sector are focused on improving access, infrastructure, quality, technology integration, and alignment with national development priorities.

He urged newly inaugurated officials and institutional leaders to uphold accountability, transparency, and innovation in the management of public education resources.

“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,” he stated.

Among those inaugurated were Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education, and Modupe Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.

Others include Bongfa Bonfa, Tijani Kalli, and several newly appointed principal officers of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship.

The government said the intervention reflects its commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving student welfare across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.