Federal Govt Commits N250bn To End Student Housing Crisis

The Federal Government has committed over N250 billion in interventions aimed at tackling the longstanding student accommodation crisis across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while inaugurating the Chairmen and members of the Boards of Federal Ministry of Education agencies, reappointed Chief Executive Officers, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, and the Principal Officers of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.

Alausa said for the first time in the country’s history, the government is committing such a scale of funding within a single year to expand hostel infrastructure nationwide.

According to him, the intervention, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, will see the construction of new hostels and the expansion of existing facilities across federal institutions.

Breaking down the plan, Alausa disclosed that at least 50 tertiary institutions will receive N2 billion each for the construction of student hostels, with every project expected to deliver a minimum of 500 bed spaces.

The funds are being channelled through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is coordinating the rollout of the projects.

We are spending 2 billion Naira each to build hostel accommodation in at least 50 tertiary institutions.

The 2 billion Naira will provide 500 bed spaces for each of these institutions. These funds have been mobilised via TETFund.

We are also spending another 80 billion Naira to deliver Public-Private Partnership posters that will provide 1,200 to 1,500 bed spaces in 24 federal tertiary institutions. TETFund will provide 1 billion in counterpart funding, and the rest will provide 3 billion. So, a total of 4 billion per institution,” he stated.

Speaking on the inauguration of chairpersons and members of the governing boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, alongside the appointment and reappointment of key institutional leaders, he emphasised that the ongoing reforms are anchored in expanding access, improving quality, integrating technology, and aligning educational outcomes with national development priorities.

The Minister urged the newly inaugurated board members and institutional heads to provide strategic leadership, ensure accountability, and uphold transparency in the management of public resources.

He also 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 will be critical to achieving long-term transformation.

“We urge you to lead with Vision, Integrity, and an unwavering commitment to Excellence.

“Our 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.