The Federal Government has announced a major investment exceeding N250 billion aimed at tackling the ongoing shortage of student accommodation in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, during the inauguration of governing board chairmen and members of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the appointment and reappointment of key institutional leaders.
Alausa described the initiative as one of the biggest single-year investments ever made in hostel infrastructure within Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the minister, the intervention was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda to significantly improve hostel accommodation in federal tertiary institutions nationwide.
He explained that at least 50 tertiary institutions will receive N2 billion each for the construction of student hostels, with every project expected to provide no fewer than 500 bed spaces.
The initiative is being implemented through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“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 institution, and these funds have been mobilised through TETFund,” the minister stated.
Alausa further revealed that an additional N80 billion has been set aside for hostel development through public-private partnership arrangements involving 24 federal tertiary institutions.
Under the arrangement, TETFund will contribute N1 billion as counterpart funding, while private sector partners are expected to provide N3 billion, bringing the total investment per institution to N4 billion.
The minister noted that the current administration’s education reforms are focused on expanding access to quality education, promoting technology-driven learning, strengthening institutional capacity, and aligning educational outcomes with national development goals.
He also urged the newly inaugurated board members and institutional leaders to uphold transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources while promoting innovation within their institutions.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the education sector as a major driver of national growth, stressing that continuous investment in infrastructure and human capital development remains essential for long-term progress.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, said the inauguration comes at a crucial time in Nigeria’s efforts to reposition the education sector for improved service delivery, credibility, and global competitiveness.
She added that under President Tinubu’s administration, the education sector has continued to witness major reforms, strategic investments, and policies aimed at improving access to quality education across the country.
