IBBUL Vice-Chancellor Seeks More TETFund Interventions as New North-Central BOT Member Visits Campus

The Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, for additional interventions, particularly in student accommodation, to meet the needs of the University’s growing population.  

The appeal was made during a visit by the newly appointed TETFund Board of Trustees, BOT, Member for the North-Central Zone, Dr. Hassan Abdulrahaman Ocholi, who was in the institution to familiarize himself and assess the University’s infrastructure needs.  

Receiving the delegation, Professor Sulaiman said the University had recorded significant progress in the execution of TETFund projects since he assumed office in February 2025. He noted that several high-impact projects inherited by his administration had been completed and commissioned.  

According to him, the construction of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, previously classified as distressed, has resumed with the contractor back on site. The project, along with a completed laboratory and classroom block, is expected to be delivered by the first week of September 2026.  

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that a ₦750 million TETFund intervention for a student hostel has been completed and is awaiting commissioning, with furniture and other facilities already provided.  

However, he stressed that the completed hostel represents only a fraction of the University’s accommodation needs. With a student population of about 21,000 and existing hostel capacity of fewer than 2,000, Professor Sulaiman appealed for more hostel interventions. He cited the recent NUC approval of new programmes, including Nursing and other highly subscribed courses, which are expected to drive further enrolment.  

He added that the University is currently implementing other TETFund projects, including the maintenance of its auditorium, the construction of two 500-capacity twin lecture theatres, and the rehabilitation of others. He also called for continued annual intervention support and the completion of a student hostel project originally initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and later transferred to the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund.  

Professor Sulaiman commended TETFund leadership and Niger State Governor, Farmer Umaru Mohammed Bago, for their support toward the development of IBBUL.  

In his remarks, Dr. Hassan Abdulrahaman Ocholi commended the University Management for the judicious utilization of TETFund interventions and effective monitoring of projects. He noted that the absence of distressed or abandoned TETFund projects in IBBUL reflects responsible leadership.  

Describing student accommodation as a critical concern, Dr. Ocholi said inadequate housing exposes students to social vices and makes campus management more difficult. He assured the University of continued collaboration, stressing that institutions demonstrating capacity and accountability should be encouraged with further interventions.  

He also acknowledged the contributions of the TETFund BOT Chairman, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Executive Secretary, Dr. S.T.H. Echono, to the effective management of education intervention funds.  

In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, appreciated the BOT member and his delegation for assessing the impact of TETFund projects. He assured that IBBUL would continue to uphold accountability and transparency in the utilization of intervention funds, and expressed optimism that the request for additional student accommodation would receive favourable consideration.