Bola Tinubu, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to invest in the construction of 36 to 72 modern hostels in tertiary institutions by the end of 2025.
Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, disclosed the new directive on Tuesday during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students.
The directive, which was included in an agency statement on Tuesday, explained that the news directive is aimed at ensuring industrial harmony in tertiary education campuses across the country.
The statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of TETFund, AbdulMumin Oniyangi, noted that the students were advised by the executive secretary to protect all properties in their institution during the August planned protest.
The secretary who spoke about the frequent disruption of the academic calendar in tertiary intuition noted that upon resumption of office, the president, who was disturbed by the frequent occurrence, had directed the minister of education to make harmony in the institutions a priority.
He further disclosed that the president had directed them to improve the learning environment to ensure that students receive high-quality education. He explained that by including them to work out concrete modalities, all institutions in the country should have a calendar that can be predicted, which will improve trust in the educational system.
Speaking on the construction of hostels across the country, the secretary noted that TETfund has commanded the construction different hostel facilities across different high institutions in the country, he noted that presently the number stands at 36 by the president has directed the increase of the numbers to 72 in order to present good accommodation to more students in the country.
In the statement, he disclosed that TETFund’s intervention in universities next year will include the conversation of existing buses on campus in CNG in order to ease the transportation of students on campus; the secretary disclosed that the president has approved the provision of mass transit buses for different institutions in the country.
Speaking on the high cost of power for institutions, the Executive Secretary lamented that the current high cost of power for institution has been a burden which could limit their operations if not addressed; he explained that some institutions in the country were to changed over 300 million nairas for electricity charges.
He disclosed that TETfund had initiated a mediation meeting between the institutions and stakeholders at the Ministry of Power to find a solution to the current power challenges faced by institutions.
Speaking on the payment of arrears owed workers in higher institutions Echono disclosed that the president has given a directive for the immediate payment of four months salary owed staff under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, recall that the staff in that category had taken to the streets to protest non payment of their entitlements owed during the reign of president Muhamadu Buhari.
Earlier, the minister of education advised students of tertiary institutions to stay away from the planned protest and remain on campuses while urging them to protect all infrastructure in the universities.
