FG Flags Off Construction of 1,500-Bed Students’ Hostel at FUTA

The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of a 1,500-bed students’ hostel at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)/Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

The foundation-laying ceremony was held in Akure on Friday, September 4, 2026, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, describing the project as a landmark initiative aimed at improving students’ welfare and the standard of tertiary education.

The minister, who was represented at the ceremony by the Director of the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS), Akure Office, Mrs. Ruth Kolaru, said the project demonstrated a collective commitment to providing students with dignified living conditions and creating an environment where knowledge, innovation and excellence could thrive.

He emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places education at the centre of Nigeria’s human capital development agenda, adding that tertiary institutions must provide more than lecture halls and laboratories.

According to him, universities must also provide safe and decent environments where students can learn, live, innovate and collaborate.

He charged all stakeholders involved in the project to maintain high standards of design, safety and sustainability to ensure that the hostel serves generations of FUTA students.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, said students’ welfare, including their accommodation and living conditions, was essential to improving their overall campus experience.

She noted that her administration had attracted FUTA’s first fully private hostel, Oba Adesida Hostel, while also upgrading the Bisi Balogun Hostel and improving the Akindeko Hostel to provide better living conditions for students.

Professor Oladiji described the TETFund/PPP model as a major initiative that would benefit all parties involved.

She explained that the hostel would be managed by the project company for some years to ensure that the facility maintains the required quality. The hostel will also feature amenities including a gym, laundry services and shops, giving students an experience comparable to those available in international universities.

The Vice-Chancellor commended President Tinubu for what she described as positive and impactful contributions of his administration to the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Representing the over 25,000 students of FUTA, the Students’ Union President, Comrade Ransom Akomolafe, expressed appreciation to the Minister of Education, the Federal Government, the university management and other partners for making the project possible.

Akomolafe said student leadership involved identifying challenges, building appropriate relationships and working towards solutions.

He recalled that during his campaign, he had committed himself to prioritising the accommodation challenges confronting students, describing the foundation-laying ceremony as evidence that solutions can be achieved when government, university management, student leaders and development partners work together.

Also speaking at the event, the lead driver of the project and Director of Integrated Projects Limited, Mr. Olumide Olufade, highlighted the collaboration between TETFund, FUTA and his organisation under the PPP model to deliver the 1,500-bed hostel.

Olufade reaffirmed Integrated Projects Limited’s commitment to delivering quality, safe and sustainable student accommodation within the agreed timeline.

He said the company would provide its expertise, capital and operational efficiency to ensure that the project meets the required specifications and provides FUTA students with decent and affordable on-campus accommodation that supports their academic success.