Ahmadu Bello University partners for 1,600-bed student hostels

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, has entered into a partnership to construct 1,600-bed student hostels under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement.

The agreement, signed with the Student Housing Company Limited, promises to revolutionize campus living for ABU students.

The official signing ceremony took place on April 8, 2024, at Ahmadu Bello University, with key stakeholders present to endorse this transformative initiative. The partnership was forged following a proposal by Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited (APPNL), an infrastructure fund manager licensed by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to develop student housing within the university.

Under the financing structure, the project will be jointly funded by TETFund and APPNL, with TETFund providing 25% of the project cost as a special intervention to ABU. The remaining 75% will be covered by APPNL for the construction of the hostels.

Upon completion, APPNL will appoint a facility management entity to oversee the hostels for a period of 21 years, after which control will revert to Ahmadu Bello University.

The signing ceremony was attended by key university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, and the Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila, who expressed optimism about the project’s impact on addressing the accommodation shortfall experienced by students.

Bala highlighted the importance of this partnership in alleviating the housing challenges faced by students, underscoring the university’s commitment to providing conducive living spaces conducive to learning.

Mu’awiya Abubakar, Head of the Public Private Partnership Unit at ABU, emphasized that the initiative was made possible through TETFund’s facilitation, positioning ABU as one of six public universities benefitting from the national student housing project.

Dipo Lawore, representing Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, assured that the construction of the 1,600-bed hostels would be completed within 12 months, signaling a rapid transformation of the university’s residential landscape.

Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, a licensed infrastructure asset management company, manages significant investment funds aimed at developing critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable development.

This collaboration signifies a proactive approach by ABU and its partners to address crucial student needs, setting a benchmark for innovative PPP initiatives in higher education infrastructure across the region.

The project is poised to redefine the student living experience at Ahmadu Bello University, ensuring that students have access to modern, safe, and comfortable housing conducive to academic success.