The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern on the draught of hostel accommodations in the nation’s higher institutions.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun made the disclosure at an event in Akwa Ibom State University.
He sopke at the foundation laying ceremony for a 1,600-bed capacity hostel initiated by African Plus Partners in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), at the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpadem, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
Edun stated that the Federal Government has earmarked N98.2billion for the provision of modern 1,600-bed capacity hostels for students in tertiary institutions across the country this year.
The Minister who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, Udo Ekanem, said the project would be replicated in 36 tertiary institutions across the six geo political zones. He stated that the aim is to tackle the deficits in hostel accommodation for students in Federal owned institutions.
Edun stressed that the facility when completed will improve the reading and learning culture among students. He, however, lauded the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno for his commitment to educational advancement in the State.
The Minister also applauded the partnership between the African Plus Partners and TETFUND. He stated that the engagement has led to the initiative of providing the facility in the institution.
Edun, however, canvassed support for President Bola Tinubu’s quest to laying a strong foundation for the development of Nigeria especially in education sector.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, thanked the Federal Government for assistance. He said the Fund would spend N72 billion for the building of modern hostels in tertiary institutions across the country in the next two years.
Echono also appreciated its partners in the project, African Plus Partners and Family Home Funds. He thanked them for their commitment and drive towards providing conducive residence for undergraduates. And to boost innovative learning and research in the tertiary institutions.
The Executive Secretary also commended successive Governors of Akwa Ibom State for effective partnership with the Federal Government. He promised that more of such projects would be done in the institution as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who was represented by the Education Commissioner, Idongesit Etiebet, lauded the initiative. He praised the initiators of the hostel project for the efforts to boost learning environment for Nigerian students.
Eno, in his remarked stated that the measure of growth of any society is represented by investment in education. He said Akwa Ibom has continued to pay deep attention to education, especially at the foundation level. He noted that this is to enable students develop their potentials early enough.
The Governor pointed that he has been working in order to meet the challenges of the state-owned higher institutions. This, he said, he has done by making investment in infrastructure and paying bursary to indigenous students in all public tertiary institutions across the country.
Presenting his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse Essien, regretted the draught of accommodations.
He stated that lack of suitable accommodation has affected the living conditions of students and posed security threat to them.
The VC stated that lack of accommodation, has caused candidates to prefer other institutions that provide accommodation. He regretted that this has continued to deny the university the opportunity to admit students to fill it capacity.
Essien said: “This challenge has also given competing institutions an edge over us. Irrespective of the fact that our academic standard and facilities are one of the best in Nigeria.
“This new facility will not only address the critical need for students’ accommodation but will foster stronger sense of community. It will also breed a sense of belonging among our students. The facility will also create opportunities that would be beneficial to the host community.”
The Managing Director of Africa Plus Partners, Adeniran Ajakaiye, thanked the partners for their collaborations for the project.
In his introductory remark, Ajakaiye said the company initiated the project when it discovered that gap in hostel accommodation in Nigeria has been in excess of 80 percent.
Describing the situation as dangerous, he said the conditions could not offer students adequate protection. He maintained that the environment will offer students a good reading and learning culture.
“And that is why we at African Plus Partners have carefully curated an accommodation scheme to cater to approximately 40,000 students in tertiary institutions across the country.
He stated that “this is in tandem with our desire to enable students focus on reading than living,” the MD said.
source: ThisDay
