TETFund Pledges Financial Support to University of Ibadan Following Flood Damage

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has pledged financial support to the University of Ibadan (UI) to help mitigate the impact of recent flooding that resulted in significant losses, including valuables worth millions of naira.

Reports indicate that at least 15 rooms in the underground floor of Awo Hostel were submerged during the flood, leading to the destruction of students' belongings, including books and personal items.

A TETFund delegation, led by Board member Sunday Adepoju, visited the university to assess the situation firsthand. During the visit, Adepoju expressed empathy for the affected students and commended the university's management for their response to the crisis. He emphasized that the visit aimed to identify potential risks and develop proactive measures to prevent future flooding incidents.

“We have witnessed the impact of the flooding, but it was not as severe as portrayed in some media reports. However, we recognize the urgency of the situation and are prepared to take the necessary actions to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” Adepoju stated.

He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to supporting educational institutions, particularly in prioritizing education as a critical area for development. TETFund assured the university community that it would mobilize resources to address immediate needs arising from the flooding.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Peter Olapegba, representing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebowale, expressed gratitude to the TETFund team for their support. He appealed for special interventions from both the Federal Government and TETFund, particularly in ecological assessments and improved drainage systems.

“We need to enhance our infrastructure to ensure that we can better manage rainfall and avoid such disruptions in the future. The university administration remains committed to the welfare of its students and is working closely with TETFund to secure the necessary resources for recovery and to establish safeguards against future flooding events,” Olapegba said.

The TETFund team also inspected other vulnerable areas within the university, including the Oba Dam, the UI Zoological Garden culvert, the Department of Forestry, and the Ajibode extension bridge, to assess risks and plan for future improvements.