The Federal Government has announced plans to invest N250 billion in building student hostels across tertiary institutions nationwide, in a move aimed at addressing the persistent accommodation crisis.
Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the launch of TETFund hostel projects at Lagos State University (LASU) and Yaba College of Technology.
He said the initiative reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving student welfare and investing in youth development.
Breakdown of the N250bn Plan
According to the Minister, the funding will be deployed across multiple hostel construction models:
N100 billion to build 500-bed capacity hostels in over 50 institutions
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model covering 24 institutions with 1,200–1,500 bed spaces each
Additional N96 billion through PPP contributions from private investors
N1 billion each to construct 300-bed hostels in another 24 institutions
He noted that the combined investments will deliver modern, high-standard accommodation facilities across both federal and state institutions.
PPP Model to Drive Expansion
Alausa explained that under the PPP arrangement, the government will contribute N1 billion per project, while private investors will provide up to N3 billion.
This model is expected to accelerate delivery and ensure sustainability in hostel management.
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is playing a central role in financing and coordinating the initiative.
Completion Timeline
The Minister assured that the projects are being fast-tracked to deliver immediate relief to students:
PPP hostel projects: 24 months completion period
Direct government-funded hostels: less than 12 months
He stressed that the goal is to quickly improve living conditions and reduce overcrowding in campuses.
Impact on Institutions
At LASU, Lagos State officials said the project would significantly reduce operational costs, especially in power supply.
The state government noted that improved infrastructure could save the institution millions annually on diesel and energy expenses.
Meanwhile, the Rector of Yabatech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, described the accommodation shortage as severe.
He revealed that the institution currently has about 36,000 students but only 2,600 hostel bed spaces, with additional units undergoing renovation.
Addressing a National Challenge
Across Nigeria, student housing remains a major issue, forcing many students to seek expensive and often unsafe off-campus accommodation.
The Federal Government’s intervention is expected to ease pressure on institutions and improve learning environments.
Outlook
Analysts say the success of the N250 billion hostel programme will depend on timely execution, quality control, and effective collaboration with private sector partners.
If implemented as planned, the initiative could mark a significant step toward resolving Nigeria’s long-standing campus accommodation deficit.
