The Federal Government has announced plans to construct student hostels in 36 tertiary institutions nationwide, with the possibility of further expansion in the future.
Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), made this revelation during a meeting with the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by President Lucky Emonefe.
Echono stated that there would be an increased allocation for maintaining TETFund infrastructures for over five years in the 2024 intervention cycle.
Addressing the pressing issue of student accommodation, Echono expressed concern over the deplorable living conditions of many students, with only a small percentage residing on campus due to inadequate facilities and security challenges in off-campus areas. He outlined the government’s commitment to ensuring that a significant portion of students live on campus, aiming for a minimum of 50 to 60 percent occupancy in the new hostels. Also, he assured that the hostels would be of high quality, attracting students globally.
Echono also pledged to explore solutions for the NANS secretariat and involve the Ministry of Education in the process. Additionally, he proposed joint monitoring of projects with student representatives across beneficiary institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
Echono encouraged students to utilise TETFund’s digital services platform, Tertiary Education Research, Applications, and Services, which offers various resources and support, including sponsored mobile internet access, plagiarism checking tools, and digital literacy programmes.
In response, NANS President Emonefe commended the government’s efforts, citing the increase in TETFund’s budget and the proposed Students’ Loan Bill as positive steps towards improving education in Nigeria. He expressed NANS’ commitment to collaborating with TETFund and ensuring the success of educational projects.
The event also saw the presence of Senator Ned Nwoko, who reiterated the committee’s support for Nigerian students and pledged to work closely with TETFund to advance education initiatives.
