TETFund to build hostels in tertiary institutions, says 85% of students live off-campus

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says it is looking to initiate hostel construction projects on 36 campuses across the country in 2024.

Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said the move will address the chronic shortage of student accommodation on campuses.

Echono spoke when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

The TETFund lead said there are misconceptions that TETFund only focuses on the affairs of core school infrastructure and lecturers.

The executive secretary said the fund’s decision to embark on hostel construction and more shows the students are the real focus.

“This year, we shall provide hostels for students in 36 tertiary institutions. We realise that the places where our students live are so deplorable,” he said.

“Only about 15 percent of our students are staying on campus. Many live outside the campus, climbing Okada many times during the rain.

“Some of them can’t even come back for evening lectures. You look at the cost and the trouble of walking all the way and coming back. Then you don’t know about the security situation in the areas where they are forced to live.

“So, we have a programme and policy to ensure that, as much as possible, we will put a minimum of 50-60 percent of our students to live on the campuses and provide those hostels.

“Those hostels will not be matchboxes and shanties. They will be solid buildings that can attract students from anywhere in the world.”

Echono hinted that the fund is working to provide free internet for students in public and private tertiary institutions.

“In today’s world, knowledge has changed. The delivery systems have changed with it. In the digital age, all sources of information and data you require are already on the internet,” he added.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to support NANS.

“We will partner with NANS because there is no doubt that in any policy or project that you want to do in the education sector, students must be at the centre of it.”