The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to improving student welfare and upgrading infrastructure in tertiary institutions with the groundbreaking of a 1,500-bed hostel at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo campus.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the project is part of broader education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is being implemented through a Public-Private Partnership involving TETFund and private investors.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at providing a more conducive learning environment, noting that education goes beyond lectures to include adequate infrastructure and student welfare.
According to him, TETFund will spend about N100 billion in 2026 on hostel development across 50 tertiary institutions, alongside an additional N96 billion for similar projects nationwide. He also disclosed plans for N60 billion to rehabilitate medical schools and N70 billion for engineering workshops and laboratories.
The minister said the LASU hostel, valued at about N4 billion, will include modern facilities such as a gym, library, canteen, and recreational spaces. He added that the project is expected to ease the institution’s accommodation challenge, as LASU currently has about 84,000 students but only 7,000 bed spaces.
He further announced plans for an 11-megawatt independent power plant at the Ojo campus and a four-megawatt facility at the Epe campus, as well as a 3,000-seat auditorium and a new Faculty of Engineering building.
Alausa urged students to remain optimistic about the country, saying there are many opportunities available for young Nigerians.
LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, described the project as a major milestone in the university’s development, adding that it would improve students’ living conditions and academic performance. She commended TETFund and private partners for their support and called for timely completion of the project.